The TER de France collaboration between SNCF Voyageurs, the French regions and transport authorities will aim to:

  • promote rail tourism in France
  • make the TER more accessible
  • extend regional tickets to cover all of France, and
  • further promote rail travel.

In order to promote tourist sites and activities accessible by rail, SNCF Voyageurs will create an online interactive national map, which will allow passengers to plan journeys as well as booking other amenities such as bicycle hire.

Capacity will also be increased on some services, such as the Yellow Train in Occitania, which will see a 67% increase.  SNCF Voyageurs will also offer connections and timetables specifically targeted at carry passengers to tourist sites such as zoos and adventures parks. The number of summer-only services will be increased with the addition of the Paris - Pontorson - Mont Saint-Michel service, and routes to the beach that currently require a transfer will be replaced with direct services.

More than two million tickets will be made available for between €1 and €10 in order to make rail travel more affordable, and the Center-Val de Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire and the South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions will offer multi-day passes.

The 130,000 passengers who hold an annual regional TER pass will be eligible for free travel on all TER lines in France during July and August. A TER De France youth pass will go on sale from June 19 for €29, giving passengers aged 12 to 25 unlimited travel during July and August.

To promote the new initiatives, SNCF Voyageurs will undertake a major promotional campaign, with a strong presence online, particularly on social networks.

SNCF says the programme is designed to prevent a major switch to road transport.

“After this long idle period for regional trains, the time has come for recovery,” says TER general manager, Mr Frank Lacroix. “From memory, never has such an operation taken place for TER, nationally in all the regions of France. It is unique. This TER de France operation will allow many French people to discover France as they may never have seen it, by traveling in complete freedom and serenity. I am pleased that we have managed to set up this operation in record time, to reward our loyal customers and attract new users to our regional trains, for more sustainable mobility.”