Speaking at Jussieu University in Paris, Ayrault said procurement should begin this summer for an initial batch of Intercity trains with a minimum order value of €500m. This will be followed in 2015 by a second order for new trains, which will be delivered in 2018-19 and will replace most of the remaining fleet of Corail coaches.
Although the government of President François Hollande has stepped back from committing to further expansion of the high-speed network beyond the four lines currently under construction, Ayrault said that the government has decided to adopt the recommendation of the Mobility 21 commission and continue preliminary planning for the extension of TGV Sud Europe Atlantique from Bordeaux to Toulouse.
