European Railroad Discussion > New Look and Operator on the French Riviera

Text and photo from the European-based site Railcolornews.com:

Since 29 June 2025, the new Alstom Omneo double-deck trains have been in service between
Marseille, Toulon, and Nice. This project is notable as it marks the first regional passenger
rail contract awarded through open competition in France—one that SNCF did not win. Instead, 
Transdev now operates the service on behalf of the regional authority, PACA.

Originally, 16 new trainsets were expected to be available at the start of the contract. 
However, in November 2024, Alstom confirmed it could not meet this timeline. As a result, 
not all Z 59000 units were ready by June, prompting temporary loans of Régiolis and Regio 
2N trains from other French regions to ensure service could begin(trains now run every hour).

Deliveries are now progressing steadily, including the recent transfer of Omneo unit Z 59019/020, 
which is seen in the photo passing through Louvres (Val-d’Oise) on 3 July 2025.

https://storage.googleapis.com/is-wp-22-prod/uploads-prod/2025/02/Fiche-horaire-ZOU-TRSI.pdf

---

I suppose it's progress but I'm glad I saw and photographed the SNCF loco hauled sets with the BB22200 nez cassé locomotives.

86235 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I suppose it's progress but I'm glad I saw and
> photographed the SNCF loco hauled sets with the
> BB22200 nez cassé locomotives.

SNCF as part of their PACA services continues to operate three return trains
a day between Marseille and Lyon on the classic line via Valence Ville using
BB22200 + Corail stock.
 

From your heading, I was expecting something in a bikini... LOL.

Greg Stadter
Phoenix, AZ