Monaco has announced a major step forward in its regional transport plans, committing to the purchase of two new TER trains, set to be operational in 2028. This 36-million-euro investment is part of a broader strategy to enhance the region’s rail services and tackle ongoing issues of congestion and reliability. These new trains, each with 500 seats, will bolster the principality’s transport capacity, complementing the five trains Monaco previously financed in 2008.
The upcoming additions will bring Monaco’s total fleet to seven trains, a move designed to support the projected increase in ridership. Over the past few decades, passenger traffic through Monaco’s station has skyrocketed. From just 3 million users in 1999, the station recorded 8.1 million passengers in 2023 alone. This sharp increase has strained existing infrastructure, often resulting in service disruptions and equipment breakdowns.
Despite these challenges, Monaco is pushing ahead, with the government reaffirming its commitment to improve rail services for both commuters and residents. The two new trains will be of a more advanced design than their predecessors and will be ready for use in a few years, following an estimated two-and-a-half-year production period. Additionally, older trains are currently undergoing refurbishment to ensure they remain reliable as part of the region’s growing fleet.
Train Punctuality Must Be Improved
In parallel with these efforts, Monaco is also keeping an eye on regional performance issues. A report from the consumer association UFC Que Choisir recently ranked the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region, which includes Monaco, as having some of the worst train punctuality in France, with only 84.7% of TER trains arriving on time in 2023. This has prompted regional leaders, like Renaud Muselier, President of the Southern Region, to demand improvements from operators like SNCF.
Starting in December 2024, the region will see even more changes with the introduction of a train every 15 minutes between Cannes, Nice, and Menton, aiming for a 98% punctuality rate. In 2025, private operator Transdev will take over management of key lines, including Marseille, Toulon, Nice, and Ventimiglia, further ramping up efforts to provide reliable and frequent service.
While Monaco continues to invest in its rail future, these developments form part of a broader regional push to modernize transport and improve daily commutes for thousands of passengers. The next few years will be crucial for delivering on these promises of better, more efficient rail services.
