These are the first results to be published for SNCF Mobility since it was formed together with SNCF Network at the beginning of the year following the merger of SNCF and national infrastructure manager French Rail Network (RFF). SNCF will publish its annual financial results for the whole group in 2016.

Keolis, which operates passenger services in France and abroad, achieved a 30% increase in turnover for international activities which helped to boost its overall performance by 11.8%. Geodis, which is part of SNCF Logistics, recorded a 6% increase in freight forwarding revenue in the first half of this year. Overall, SNCF Mobility reported a 27% increase in international revenue.

SNCF Mobility's first half operating margin improved by 24% to €1.12bn, while it achieved a net result of €318m compared with €102m in the first half of 2014.

SNCF Mobility invested €977m from its own resources during the first half of 2015. Total investment amounted to €1.6bn including expenditure on behalf of French transport authorities for the acquisition of regional trains. Net debt fell by €231m to €7.65bn.