Last June 29th, Transdev launched its trains on the tracks between Nice and Marseille. Two and a half months later, feedback is mixed on the service offered by the French group, owned by the German fund Rethmann.
Some passengers board the train, others remain on the platform. For this debut on the Nice-Toulon-Marseille line, the operator Transdev is experiencing a mixed start. This is the first competition with the SNCF on the region’s rail lines. The new carriages do not go unnoticed at the station. Only the TGV seems as modern as these new TER.
If there is one thing that wins unanimous approval from all travelers, it is the modernity of the trains. Indeed, Transdev brings a breath of fresh air to the region’s platforms. Once inside, the impression remains the same, the interior is refined.
Users complained about the various onboard technologies of the old TER, from lighting to air conditioning, including electrical outlets. Transdev has addressed this issue. All fixed seats are equipped with an electrical outlet and a small personal light for literature lovers. Vending machines are available in some carriages.
The cleanliness of these new trains has convinced users, at least for now. “These trains are extremely clean, there are real toilets with a real flush. There is always paper and soap. This was not the case on the old trains,” explains Adel, a daily user of this new line. He remains slightly skeptical about the duration and defends Transdev. “It is not because of them (Transdev) that the trains deteriorate. It is the incivility of the users that causes this.”
Carriages too short and a too high price
While the modernity of the carriages generally satisfies users, the controversies lie elsewhere. According to the testimonies collected by RMC, the carriages are deemed too short and overcrowded during peak hours. This is a problem that already existed for SNCF’s TER. Transdev has announced that five long carriages are due to arrive in November. In the meantime, the provider has rented, urgently, to compensate for this absence.
Users also complain about ticket prices. An estimated increase of 10% compared to SNCF. The cost of a TGV ticket is lower, depending on the time, than that of these new TER. A total anomaly for many people. Transdev has clarified, several days ago, that the ticket price “is not set by the operator“, but by the SUD region.
Nonetheless, to this day, a million travelers have already used the new Transdev TERs in nearly 75 days of operation.
