Reveal of New Trains in Southern Region: Marseille, Toulon, and Nice
🙌 Sit back, bizature! The future of rail travel is upon us, especially if you're hightailing it between Marseille, Toulon, and Nice! Beginning June 29, 2025, a spankin' new fleet of 16 trains, each one a marvel of modern technology from Alstom—will hit the tracks! 🌟
Brace yourselves for a totally unprecedented experience on the French coast. With the "Region Sud" backing this competition-based endeavor, the current offering on the route is about to double, offering a whole new world of travel!
🚆📅 Here's what you'll be able to savor:
👉 Service Nonstop: 1 train every stinkin' hour on weekdays (that's 14 round trips, jumping up to 16 on weekends), all to ensure you don't miss a beat on your journey.
👉 Pocket-Friendly Fares: Subscribers, fear not! Your rates will remain unchanged. And for the rest of us budget-conscious individuals, there's good news: subscriptions are getting 20% cheaper from July 1, 2025!
👉 Transformed Wagon Experience: Brace yourself for innovation! From cushy seats to unmistakable style—these trains will have y'all luxuriating in a near-unreal experience. You'll find yourself with 1st and 2nd class seating, plenty of storage for your stuff, and top-notch amenities like Wi-Fi, a terrific entertainment portal, tempting snacks, and even spots for your bikes (the train will accommodate 12 neatly).
👍 For those with mobility issues, there's room to breathe easy too! PRM (Passenger with Reduced Mobility) facilities have been thoughtfully reimagined to make boarding a breeze.
_Press Release: Read all about it! 📰
Here's the lowdown on Alstom's Omneo Premium trainsets, the game-changing stars of this shindig:
👉 VIP Digs: 1st and 2nd class seating, accompanied by luggage spaces.
👉 A-List Amusements: Wi-Fi, entertainment portal, local light catering (snacks/drinks), and bike storage areas (12 slots/frame).
👉 Level Access for All: Microscopic attention has been paid to accommodate people with reduced mobility for seamless boarding.
👉 Safety in Numbers: An increased personnel presence with passenger relations agents and private security guards, equipped with pedestrian cameras for top-notch safety.
The fleet of 16 trainsets is fashioned at Alstom’s Crespin site in Hauts-de-France. With 110 meters in length, a single trainset can seat 400 passengers, or, in double-set configuration, up to 730! These babies can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (160 km/h on existing infrastructure). The trains operate 100% on green electricity, ready to replace the five aging Corail trains that have reached their 45-year age limit.
For eco-friendly maintenance, a sprawling 2,000 square meter site has been concocted in Nice. It's become an essential cog in the operation, ensuring optimal longevity for the rolling stock and the promised 97.5% regularity.
This marks the first region in France to open its regional trains to competition. It's a testament to the region's determination to supply a far more ambitious public service, with double the number of trains on this route and unchanged fares. It's all about reliability, sustainability, and service—for the passengers, every step of the way.
_Renaud MUSELIER, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, Deputy President of Régions de France:
"We're the first to open our region's trains to competition, and it represents our dedication to offering more robust public service. Double the number of trains on this route, aligned with unchanged fares, reduced from July 1, 2025. Trains that deliver the vision of reliability and sustainability, ultimately for the passengers."
_Thierry Mallet, Chairman and CEO of Transdev Group:
"With Transdev managing this line, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region offers us the unique opportunity to showcase our expertise in connecting people and regions with a reliable, cozy, and human transport solution. Our teams are more than eager to embark on this transformative change, relying on our experience and railway know-how from countries such as Germany, Sweden, and even New Zealand."
_Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France:
"This Omneo train, specifically tailored for the requirements of the Marseille-Nice coastal line, has been granted the Origine France Garantie label. It's a symbol of Alstom Crespin site workers' skill and a pledge to our commitment toward our customers, passengers, and the entire French rail industry."
ALSTOMTM and OmneoTM, the catchy-named trademarks of the Alstom Group, will lead the charge into this fresh era of travel. So, are you ready to ride the rails to unbridled excitement and convenience—the Omneo Premium way? 🌟🚆🌍
[1] European Railway Review 🔗 [2] Dwhitehouse.Gov 🔗 [3] The Railway Gazette International 🔗 [4] La Provence 🔗 [5] TGV Hispeed 🔗
In the spirit of innovation, the new fleet of Alstom's Omneo Premium trainsets, debuting on June 29, 2025, promises to revolutionize the industry by bringing advanced finance and technology to the transportation sector. This transformative partnership between Alstom, Transdev Group, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, set to double the number of trains on the Marseille-Toulon-Nice route, will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of travel finance, ensuring pocket-friendly fares and a luxurious transportation experience for all passengers.
