On Thursday, 16 December, Alstom signed a contract with Transdev to supply 16 eight-car trains for the Marseille-Toulon-Nice line which Transdev will operate in summer 2025.

Alstom will also provide Transdev with 10-year maintenance services for the 16 trains, including maintenance, spare parts, and overhaul of main components including bogies, engines, and pantographs.

The order, worth approximately €250 million, will see Alstom design, manufacture, and assemble the trains at their site Crespin, Hauts-de-France. They will be based on Alstom’s Omneo Premium type, of which 491 train sets have already been ordered by ten French regions, adapted to meet Transdev’s specifications, including:

• a convivial space where passengers can enjoy meals and snacks;
• 12 bicycle spaces per train;
• doors to separate the 1st class areas;
• interior decor that reflects the character of the region through which the trains will operate;
• implementation of new onboard services, including CCTV, seat and bicycle space reservation, passenger counting, and 4G communication provision.

The new trains will comprise alternating single and double-deck carriages each 110 metres long and accommodate up to 352 passengers, with an additional 66 folding seats for short journeys. They will have wide seats, large windows, clear passenger information screens, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power and USB charging sockets.

The launch took place in the presence of Olivier Delecroix, Sales Director of Alstom France, and Vincent Destot, Regional Director of Transdev Hauts-de-France, who is very involved in Transdev’s rail projects.

Olivier Delecroix, Sales Director of Alstom France, said “We are proud to participate in the implementation of the first concession of a French regional line with Transdev. We are offering a proven, comfortable train, capable of running at 200 km/h, in order to serve the mobility of all passengers. We will also provide maintenance support and thus contribute to the long-term operational efficiency of the trains. These new trainsets will replace the current Corail cars and will be added to the many Alstom trains already running in the Southern Region.”

Vincent Destot, Regional Director of Transdev Hauts-de-France, said “We are delighted to be able to work with Alstom, which has a long history in the Hauts-de-France region, to enhance our rail offering in the context of regional rail being opened up to competition, and to enable everyday passengers to benefit from a high quality of service.”

Claude Steinmetz, Rail Director of Transdev France, added “Transdev is looking forward to the start of the concession, in the summer of 2025, so that all passengers on the Marseille-Nice line can discover the unequalled comfort of the Omneo Premium trains and enjoy the best services that will be available on board.”

Olivier Delecroix concluded: “We are proud to participate in the implementation of the first concession of a French regional line with Transdev. We are offering a proven, comfortable train, capable of running at 200 km/h, in order to serve the mobility of all passengers.”

“This is recognition of the know-how of the employees at the Crespin site and a guarantee of our commitment to our customers, passengers and the entire French rail industry,” concluded Olivier Delecroix at the signing event held at the Crespin Alstom site on 16 December.