Private transit provider Transdev's initial TER services will operate on Sunday between Marseille and Nice
A New Era for the Marseille-Nice TER Line: Transdev Takes the Helm
By 2025, regional express train (TER) lines in France will witness a sea change as private companies are encouraged to enter the scene, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region is leading the charge. The Marseille-Nice line, previously held by SNCF, now falls under Transdev's jurisdiction.
On June 29, 2025, Transdev, a notable transport company under German control, became the first private operator to run a TER line, marking the end of SNCF's monopoly on the Marseille-Nice route for the next ten years [1][3].
The Marseille-Nice TER Line Makeover
- With a significant investment of around 800 million euros over a decade by the region [1], Transdev has taken over the Marseille-Nice TER service, comprising the Marseille-Toulon-Nice segment [1][2].
- Initially, eight of the 16 state-of-the-art double-deck Omneo Premium Z 59000 EMUs ordered by Transdev will be available [2]. To address service demands, additional trains have been rented from other French regions to ensure a full hourly service from day one [2].
- Transdev aims to improve service quality, striving for 97% punctuality compared to the current 80% under SNCF [2]. Onboard amenities are set to see an upgrade, with first and second-class seating, increased luggage and cycle space, and vending machines for refreshments [2]. For added comfort and security, Customer Relations Officers replace traditional controllers [2].
- The TER trains on this line will operate under the regional brand "Zou", symbolizing collaboration with the PACA region [1][4].
The Impact of Private Management
- The transition signals a pivotal shift in French regional rail transport, with the Marseille-Nice line serving as a flagship project demonstrating the move towards opening all TER lines to competition by 2033 [1]. While some regions are hesitant to join the trend, PACA has taken the initiative.
- The arrival of a private operator brings competitive pressure on SNCF, which has faced criticism for service quality. Transdev takes on the challenge to modernize train services, introducing streamlined trains, better service reliability, and reduced fares to attract both casual and regular travelers [1][2].
- For Transdev, this contract constitutes the largest railway operation in 2025 and a strategic milestone, capitalizing on its international experience in rail operations across countries like Germany and Sweden [1].
- The success of this operation in France is keenly observed as a test case for the broader liberalization of regional rail services, potentially yielding standards for service improvements and operational efficiency in the sector [1][2][3].
In essence, the Marseille-Nice TER line's transition to private management marks the beginnings of competition in France's regional rail sector, aiming to enhance punctuality, passenger comfort, and service quality, while showcasing regional aspirations to dismantle SNCF's stranglehold in the railway scene over the coming decade [1][2][3].
- The financial aspect of this collaboration sees Transdev investing a substantial amount, approximately 800 million euros over the next decade, in the improved transportation of the Marseille-Nice TER line, thereby boosting the automotive industry's need for efficient transportation means.
- To cater to the intense demand for transportation services, Transdev has made strategic moves, including renting additional trains from other French regions and securing funding from the finance industry, ensuring smoother operations and maintaining a full hourly service from day one.
