A crowded station, repeated delays, a chaotic atmosphere… Tourism surge has always caused numerous problems on the railway network in Nice and its surroundings.
The growing popularity of the French Riviera, particularly thanks to its sunny beaches and cultural richness, has led to a large influx of visitors from all around the world over the years. Unfortunately, delays have become a common occurrence on the railway network in Nice and its surroundings. Departures to popular destinations like Eze, for instance, are particularly affected.
According to information provided by SNCF officials, these delays are primarily due to the saturation of railway lines, which are unable to handle such a high volume of trains. Lucie, a student at the University, is waiting for her mother on the platform of Nice station, she initially “doesn’t take the train. But yes, it’s true that there are a lot of people at the moment. There are a lot of delays right now for the trains, especially towards Eze during events like the Lemon Festival, for instance,” she explains with a smile.
Events exacerbate the situation
Aïda, a saleswoman at Deli & Cia, finds herself in a difficult situation. She has to wait for a second train to get to her workplace because the first one is completely overcrowded. The reason for this overpopulation is mainly the high number of tourists. Tension rose in the region during the famous Cannes festival, where trains were packed with festival-goers in search of glamour and cinematic events. Aïda still remembers the waves of passengers flooding into the carriages, desperately seeking seats or clinging to support bars to avoid falling. It was almost impossible to move properly in the crowded corridors.
A situation that requires solutions
In light of these increasingly frequent problems, it is urgent to find solutions to relieve the congestion of the railway network in Nice and the surrounding areas. The competent authorities are currently working on projects to extend the railway lines, as well as opening up to competition. This is expected to take place in the summer of 2025.
Alternatively, you can always consider other modes of transport such as buses or bicycles.
