The European Metropolitan Express Network deploys an offer of 800 additional trains from Sunday, on an extended time slot.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
Two weeks after Emmanuel Macron’s displayed will to develop a network of RER “in ten large cities”, the Grand-Est region and the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg put this objective in practice, and inaugurate the network on Sunday, December 11 European Metropolitan Express (RELI).
- 800 additional trains per week
The project, launched in 2018, predates the announcements of the President of the Republic. It consists of creating a “tender shock” with 800 additional trains per week at first, to better serve Strasbourg, its metropolis and the cities around forty kilometers around (Saverne, Haguenau, Obernai, Sélestat …). From the summer of 2023, the network should have more than 1,000 additional trains, an increase of 43 % of the transport offer in 95 stations.
With 670 stops per day, Strasbourg becomes “the largest TER station” in France, ensure the communities. The hourly amplitude is extended, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with trains every fifteen minutes during peak hours in 13 stations, and an increase in frequencies also on weekends. A new line also connects two cities in the metropolis, Saverne and Sélestat, without correspondence in Strasbourg.
- An investment of 700 million euros
The project required 700 million euros in investment, according to Jean Rottner, president (LR) of the regional council. The REDI should still mobilize 600 million euros “within five years coming”, in particular to develop services to Germany.
Operating costs, deducted revenues, are estimated at 14.5 million euros per year, distributed on a par between the region and the Eurometropolis.
- Limit the use of the car
The Recon is based on “multimodality” to facilitate travelers connections with other transport methods, including new coaches with specific routes, but also Strasbourg trams, buses, or bicycle car parks . “The objective is to allow users to take the train as easily as some take the tram, explains Alain Jund, vice-president of the Eurometropolis in charge of mobility. We want motorists to see the rail as a more efficient alternative and cheaper. “
It is part of a global reflection to reduce the use of the car, while the low -emission zone established in the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg must prohibit access to the Crit’Air 5 vehicles or without a sticker from From 1
é> January 2023.
- “We will not succeed”, worries South-Rail
This new transport offer, however, worries SNCF unions, which point to delays in the delivery of trains and the recruitment of staff. “We already did not manage to ensure the 2022 transport plan without the remember, we respected it at the optimum only fifteen days over the year. So 30 additional daily trains, with constant workforce or almost, we do not Will not get there, “warns Alexandre Welsch, south-rail delegate. The trade unionist would have preferred to postpone the inauguration of this RER Strasbourg, time to finish the training of new drivers and receive all the equipment.