SNCF: New Trains and Increased Services Between Saint-Étienne and Lyon
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France – The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is set to revolutionize the daily commute between Saint-Étienne and Lyon with a major investment in new trains and expanded services. This initiative, alongside the ambitious metropolitan regional express service (SERM) project for Saint-Étienne, promises enhanced capacity, improved comfort, and more frequent connections on France’s busiest regional rail line.
The announcement, made on April 16, 2026, by Frédéric Aguilera, Mayor of Vichy and Vice-President of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, outlines a “rail offer shock 2024-2027.” This plan involves the acquisition of 29 new train sets, adding 20,000 extra seats to the route that currently serves 20,000 daily travelers.
Deployment Schedule for New Trains:
- September 2024: 10 new train sets
- December 2025 (2026 annual service): 4 additional train sets
- December 2026 (2027 annual service): 5 additional train sets
- December 2027 (2028 annual service): 10 additional train sets
According to Vice-President Aguilera, these new trains will significantly increase capacity, allowing for up to 699 passengers per train. This is expected to alleviate overcrowding during peak hours and provide a more comfortable experience for daily commuters.
The region has invested a substantial 460 million euros in these acquisitions and the ongoing maintenance of the new rolling stock.
The Saint-Étienne SERM Project: A Broader Vision
Beyond the immediate train acquisitions, the Saint-Étienne SERM project aims for an even more profound transformation of the regional rail network. This project, distinct from Lyon’s SERM, focuses on strengthening rail services during both peak and off-peak hours, introducing earlier morning and later evening connections. The number of daily trains on the Saint-Étienne rail hub could potentially increase from 190 to 440 by 2045.
The Saint-Étienne SERM is designed to enhance already heavily utilized rail links, particularly towards Lyon, which concentrates a significant portion of daily home-to-work commutes. The project seeks to improve frequency, regularity, and clarity of services, offering a more efficient alternative to road travel. While the current TER service between Lyon and Saint-Étienne is robust, it is susceptible to climatic hazards in the Gier valley.
Specifically, the SERM project could see the addition of 16 trains to Lyon Perrache and 29 to Lyon Part-Dieu. The commune of La Grand-Croix is also being considered as a potential new stop on this line.
The overall investment for the Saint-Étienne SERM project is projected to exceed 1 billion euros.
These developments underscore a concerted effort by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region to modernize and expand its public transportation infrastructure, addressing the growing needs of commuters and fostering sustainable travel options across the region.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/saint-etienne_42218/sncf-entre-saint-etienne-et-lyon-plus-trains-rames-nouvelle-generation-ce-qui-va-changer_64149744.html
