The new railway project of the Côte d’Azur is taking shape with the establishment of a supervision and maintenance center, a committed team, and innovations aimed at streamlining train traffic. The goal: to provide a regular and safe service while supporting the region’s ecological transition. With an expected 20% increase in ridership in 2024, this transformation marks a turning point for local transportation.
The Côte d’Azur region is preparing for a revolution in the railway sector. Supported by the SNCF and its partners, this initiative aims to transform user experience and improve punctuality. It also seeks to enhance the capacity of the network. The transformation is based on a new supervision center and infrastructure modernization. A strong commitment is made to meet the demands of the ecological transition. Here’s a look back at the main novelties that will mark the year 2024.
A Supervision and Maintenance Center for More Reliable Trains
The creation of a local supervision center marks a key step in the daily management of the railway network. This center will monitor train movements in real-time and quickly identify incidents. Decisions can be made within minutes, ensuring maximum responsiveness. A dedicated team, operating 24/7, will guarantee the smooth flow of trains. Interventions will be swift in case of problems, ensuring regular circulation.
Meanwhile, the maintenance center, active particularly at night, will ensure trains are ready for service from dawn. This infrastructure will play a key role in regulating schedules and avoiding unexpected interruptions.
A Train Every 15 Minutes, a Challenge for 2024
One of the flagship objectives of this reform is to achieve a “train every quarter-hour” frequency. This will require advanced optimization of resources and infrastructure. Through better coordination between teams and the use of new supervision technologies, this pace will meet growing demand, with ridership already up 25% on some lines like Estelade-Montpellier.
To achieve this regularity, collaboration among the different network players, from conductors to station managers, is crucial. Every delay, every breakdown must be anticipated and resolved quickly thanks to a modern management system and constant communication.
Innovative Tools to Improve Passenger Experience
In this new setup, passenger information is central. Thanks to digital tools, users will be informed in real-time of delays via mobile apps. Display screens at stations will also relay ongoing incidents and disruptions. A new system allows operators from the supervision center to communicate directly aboard trains. In case of disruptions, this communication ensures greater transparency and reactivity for users.
A community manager, present within the supervision center, will ensure that information is quickly relayed on social networks to avoid misinformation and reassure users.
The Ecological Transition at the Heart of the Project
This railway project goes beyond service improvement. It is part of a broader ecological transition approach. The Côte d’Azur region, in partnership with the SNCF, aims to make rail the preferred mode of transport. The objective is to reduce traffic congestion and CO2 emissions. By increasing train frequencies and optimizing resources, this project reduces the environmental footprint. It also provides a sustainable alternative to saturated road transport.
Toward Continuous Improvement Until 2025
December 16 marks a key milestone with the official launch of the new network, but this is just the beginning. SNCF teams and local authorities will continue to monitor data to improve service. Thanks to real-time data collection and team flexibility, the project will remain adaptable. The involvement of different regional actors will ensure that this project evolves according to user needs.
