It is a very large piece. After the TER in several regions, the opening to competition in Ile-de-France becomes clearer with the implementation of several RER (non-RATP) and Transilien lines operated today exclusively by SNCF Voyageurs. Lines that transport millions of inhabitants of the Ile-de-France every day.
Ile-de-France Mobilités is formalizing several tenders and the new operators will be appointed between mid-2026 and 2032 (2038 for RER C) for a start-up spread between the end of 2027 and the end of 2032 (2039 for RER C).
Remember that the operators involved will have to meet the ambitious requirements of these tenders in terms of frequency, punctuality and volume of trains.
According to a document we have obtained, here is the opening schedule for competition in Ile-de-France. It will be put to a vote by the IDFM board of directors on October 17.
- Line J (277,000 daily passengers): designated operator in mid-2026 for entry into service at the end of 2027
- Lines N and V (157,000 passengers per day): designated operator at the end of 2027 for entry into service in the 2nd quarter of 2029
- Line R and Etoile de Corbeil (66,000 passengers per day): designated operator in 2028 for entry into service at the end of 2029
- Line U (52,000 passengers per day): designated operator in the 2nd quarter of 2029 for entry into service at the end of 2030
- RER D and lines H and K (924,000 passengers per day): designated operator in the 2nd quarter of 2030 for entry into service at the end of 2031
- Line P (120,000 passengers per day): designated operator in the 2nd quarter of 2031 for entry into service at the end of 2032
- RER E (620,000 passengers per day): designated operator in the 2nd quarter of 2031 for entry into service at the end of 2032
- RER C (541,000 passengers per day): designated operator in the 2nd quarter of 2038 for entry into service at the end of 2039
On some lines, such as the RER C, the timetables have been considerably delayed for the simple reason that the new trains have not yet been ordered. In fact, new operators are recovering trains in circulation or new trains acquired by IDFM.
To date, several French regions have opened their TERs to competition. In the southeast, Transdev has been operating since June in Marseille-Nice, while RATP obtained an important lot in Normandy. But the historic operator has won awards in Hauts-de-France and in Pays-de-la-Loire. There are other tenders in progress.
In Ile-de-France, SNCF Voyageurs will have to defend its positions against actors such as Transdev, Keolis or RATP who dream of breaking this historical monopoly. But in the capital region, the situation is different given the traffic density, volume, number of passengers and network limitations. You will have to be strong to win these prizes.
Requirements
Traditionally opposed to opening up to competition, accused of fragmenting the French railway network, the SNCF unions show even more their distrust of the RER and Transilien.
A point of particular concern: the enormous parking that covers the RER D and lines H and K, which transport almost a million people every day. These trains pass through Corbeil, also affected by another batch (Line R and Etoile de Corbeil).
According to a union representative, this railway junction is already very sensitive, complex to manage and the prospect of having several operators at the same time in this location, operated independently, risks increasing dysfunctions and therefore delays for workers in Ile-de-France.
For SNCF’s competitors, these tenders represent, on the contrary, an unexpected financial benefit, but it will be necessary to convince them of the region’s demands, especially in these sensitive lines. In the case of buses, for example, although RATP has lost dozens of lines in the Paris region, it has retained the highly strategic operation of buses within Paris.
Source: BFM TV
