Île-de-France Mobilités has signed a direct contract with SNCF Voyageurs to operate suburban Transilien rail services in the Greater Paris region from 2026 to 2030. The contract includes RER lines C, D, and E as well as Transilien commuter lines H, J, K, N, P, R, and U.
SNCF Voyageurs’ Transilien division employs 13,000 staff and manages 4,800 daily train services, carrying approximately 3.3 million passengers each day across the Île-de-France region.
Funding and Investments in Infrastructure and Rolling Stock
Île-de-France Mobilités will provide €3 billion annually to cover operating expenses under the contract. The authority plans to invest €7.2 billion in infrastructure modernization from 2026 to 2030,
representing a 20% increase compared to the 2021-2025 period.
An additional €4.4 billion is allocated for new rolling stock acquisitions, including Alstom RER NG electric multiple units for lines D and E, and Alstom/CAF MI20 units for RER B. A €1.2 billion depot modernization program will continue during this period.
Mid-life Refurbishment and Facility Capacities
SNCF Voyageurs will initiate a €3 billion, IdFM-funded mid-life refurbishment between 2027 and 2043 for 360 Bombardier NAT/Francilien electric multiple units. The upgrades, carried out at two production lines at the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps workshop and one in Nevers, will enable up to 15 trains to be refurbished concurrently.
Refurbishments focus on
upgrading seats, CCTV, air conditioning, and passenger information systems. There is also a €160 million budget for modernizing ticket vending machines and gate lines, alongside €135 million allocated for passenger information, operational information systems, and digital transformation projects.
Contractual Performance Targets and Market Changes
The contract introduces stricter performance targets, emphasizing punctuality, cleanliness, passenger information, and safety. It includes a bonus-penalty scheme valued at €43 million annually, with provisions for refunds to season ticket holders if consistently poor service performance occurs.
New performance indicators address fare evasion reduction and improved passenger safety within stations. Île-de-France Mobilités intends to phase out SNCF Voyageurs’ monopoly on certain Transilien
lines.
In that context, SNCF Voyageurs was awarded contracts earlier for the operation of Line L from December 2026 to 2035 and Line J starting December 2027, following competitive bidding processes involving other operators, including RATP Cap Île-de-France.
