The French government has set national rail infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau “ambitious” performance targets for the development of passenger and freight transport until 2033. It comprises an “unprecedented” investment programme for the regeneration and modernisation of the network, according to France’s Ministry of Transport.
The aim is to enable the French rail network to cope with the estimated 25% increase in traffic. This represents nearly 800,000 additional passenger and freight trains compared to 2024, driven by passenger demand and the arrival of new entrants as well as the projected growth in rail freight over the period.
To support rail freight and the modal shift, the performance contract also aims to increase traffic by nearly 20% by seeking to improve the quality of ‘long-distance’ freight train paths as well as providing greater predictability and visibility over the next 4–5 years regarding available train paths and planned works.
4.5 billion euros per year
Investment in the regeneration and modernisation of the network is set to reach 4.5 billion euros per year by 2028, a 50% increase to the previous contract. Moreover, and unlike previously, this amount will be indexed to inflation to ensure the sustainability of the investment level over time. The contract also makes provision for infrastructure renewal to be speeded up and for the ‘maintenance backlog’ that has built up to be reduced.
Each year, 1,000 km of track will be renovated, compared with 750 kilometres at present. A provision is also made for a 25% increase in the regeneration of overhead lines using innovative industrial methods, to reach 330 kilometres per year, or more than 3,200 kilometres of overhead lines by 2033. Annual refurbishment work on railway bridges, tunnels, etc. will increase to 45 structures compared to around 30 currently.
“With this draft contract, the State is setting clear, ambitious and transparent targets for SNCF Réseau regarding network availability and performance, to ensure that passenger and freight services can operate with the highest possible standard of service,” said Minister for Transport, Philippe Tabarot.