The French region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes has announced plans to invest a total of €5.7 billion in rail transport up to 2035. The aim is to increase service frequencies by 30% and increase passenger numbers from 220,000 to 300,000 per day. The TER regional network is currently operated by the French state railway subsidiary SNCF Voyageurs and serves the cities of Lyon, Grenoble, and Clermont-Ferrand. As part of the investment programme, €3 billion will be spent on 130 new double-deck electric multiple unit (EMU) trains of the type 2N from manufacturer Alstom. The remaining €2.7 billion will be invested in infrastructure, including to prevent the closure of smaller lines that require extensive modernisation. However, the Clermont-Ferrand – Mont-Dore and Thiers – Boën lines, which are currently closed, will not be reopened. A further €42 million will be invested in the southern section of the main Paris – Clermont-Ferrand line.
