France's New Generation Omneo Train Officially Unveiled

Alstom and Transdev have signed a €250 million contract to deliver 16 double-deck 8-carriage trains to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France, with a running speed of up to 200 km/h. In May 2025, the new generation Omneo train was officially unveiled, with regional and corporate executives attending the ceremony. The first train will enter service on the Marseille-Toulon-Nice line on June 29, replacing five aging Corail trains currently operating on the route, some of which have been in service for 45 years.

Manufactured by Alstom and operated by Transdev, the new train set features an alternating design of single-deck and double-deck carriages, with a total length of 110 meters, providing 352 fixed seats and 49 folding seats (401 seats in total), and can be flexibly (marshaled) according to passenger flow. The train is equipped with 12 bicycle storage spaces, video surveillance, a seat reservation system, and on-board Wi-Fi, and features a "joy zone" snack space with an interior design that matches the region's image. To support operations, a 2,000-square-meter environmentally sustainable maintenance facility has been built in Nice to help achieve the target punctuality rate of 97.5%.

The Omneo train has specially optimized the passenger experience: a same-level wide door design with an automatic gap-filling system facilitates boarding and alighting; wide corridors and open platforms improve in-car circulation efficiency; large glass windows introduce natural light and coastal views, and the air conditioning system can intelligently adjust according to passenger density. The train also features accessible toilets, USB charging ports, and other facilities, balancing comfort and functionality for long-distance travel. This new generation of trains not only drives the upgrading of France's railway equipment but also injects new vitality into the regional transportation network with its modular design and sustainable operation philosophy.