The Association of French Regions (ARF), SNCF and Alstom introduce Régiolis, the next-generation TER regional train which is gradually entering into service in the French Regions.

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The ARF, SNCF and Alstom introduced the new-generation Régiolis train this morning at the Vaugirard station in Paris. This presentation was of a symbolic nature, since it was held to celebrate the first trains going into commercial service1. To date, 182 Régiolis trains have been ordered by 12 French Regions and these will be operated and maintained by the SNCF. These orders represent a major investment for the French Regions, which are financing in full the purchase of these trains, to a total of 1.4 billion.

Frédéric Cuvillier, the French Minister for Transport, Alain Rousset, President of the ARF and President of the Aquitaine region, Jacques Auxiette, President of the Pays de la Loire region and VP Transport for the ARF2, Guillaume Pepy, President of SNCF and Henri Poupart-Lafarge, President of Alstom Transport, were involved in this event, which was also attended by other French Regions which have ordered Régiolis trains.

Régiolis trains are part of Alstom's Coradia Polyvalent range. They feature the latest technological innovations designed to reconcile efficiency, economic performance and environmental protection. Since they are modular, they can be personalised by each French Region to define the right train to suit their needs. Régiolis trains have been designed to be eco-friendly, with 90% of their components being reusable.

Régiolis is the only range of bimodal trains featuring an integral low floor, guaranteeing easy access and movement within the train. Accessible to everyone, in particular people with reduced mobility, Régiolis fulfils the latest TSI-PRM standard3.

The architecture of Régiolis trains, together with their ergonomic seating and high-performance engines, also enables noise and vibration to be minimised to ensure an unrivalled level of comfort. Fitted with ERTMS4 technology, Régiolis is the first regional train to conform to European standards.

On behalf of the French Regions, SNCF has supported the entire process leading to the introduction of Régiolis trains - collecting requirements from the French Regions and from each market, formalising invitations to tender and providing project management alongside each of the regions right up until the trains have entered into commercial service. It was a well-structured and well-organised process, enabling reliable rolling stock fulfilling French safety standards to enter into service.

Régiolis has been designed to offer passengers a high level of comfort and services to provide a high-quality public service.Régiolis trains will gradually be added to the stock of regional (TER) trains, most of which are already brand new or have been modernised at the instigation of the French Regions, which have already invested more than 9 billion in renovating their fleets of regional trains. These new TER regional trains will help to support the development of everyday mobility for the benefit of everyone - SNCF, the French Regions and users of the rail network.

A true symbol of French industrial excellence, Régiolis supports the commitment of the French Regions towards promoting territorial mobility, as well as helping SNCF to boost TER regional transport for communities and providing further proof of Alstom's technological excellence. 

1 - Gradual entry into service over the past few days in the Aquitaine, Lorraine (22 April), Picardy (25 April) and Alsace (28 April) regions.
2 - ARF (Association of French Regions).
3 - Technical specification for interoperability for "persons with reduced mobility" in the conventional and high-speed trans-European rail system. The French National PRM Committee has emphasised the overall ergonomics of Régiolis, a train model that makes transport accessible to everyone.
4 - European Railways Traffic Management System

Press contacts

Cécile Dodat (Alstom Transport HQ) Tel: + 33 1 57 06 91 48
cecile.dodat@transport.alstom.com 

Pauline Bochot (Alstom Transport HQ) Tel + 33 1 57 06 97 60
pauline.bochot@transport.alstom.com

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