The trains of “European Express Metro Network” (Reme) start circulating this Sunday December 11 in Strasbourg, which thus inaugurates the first RER outside the Ile-de-France, awaited by travelers but criticized by railway workers for the delays in the arrival of material and human resources.
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Two weeks after Emmanuel Macron announced his ambition to develop a RER network “in ten major cities”the Grand Est region and the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg are therefore putting into practice their project launched in 2018: a “offer shock” with 800 additional trains per week initially and over 1,000 additional trains from summer 2023, i.e. a 43% increase in the transport offer on a network of 95 stations.
The sequel after the announcement
“Multimodality”
With 670 stops a day, Strasbourg becomes “the largest TER station” of France, provide the local authorities. The timetable is extended, from 5am to 11pm, with trains every 15 minutes during peak hours at 13 stations. A novelty, the “diametrization”offers the possibility of connecting two cities of the metropolis without connection to Strasbourg.
The project required 700 million euros of investment according to Jean Rottner, president (LR) of the regional council. Reme should still mobilize 600 million euros “over the next five years”, in particular to develop services to Germany. Operating costs, net of revenue, are estimated at €14.5 million per year, split equally between the region and the Eurometropolis.
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The Reme relies on “multimodality” facilitating passenger connections with other modes of transport, especially new ones « express car » with dedicated lanes, but also trams, buses or Strasbourg bicycle parking.
“The goal is to allow users to take the train as easily as some take the tram”anticipates Alain Jund, Eurometropolis vice president in charge of mobility. “It also answers questions about air quality and fuel costs. We want motorists to see rail as a more efficient and cheaper alternative.”.
The sequel after the announcement
SNCF worries
This new transport offer, however, worries the SNCF unions, who denounce delays in the delivery of trains and in hiring staff. “We were already unable to guarantee the 2022 transport plan without the Reme, we respected it only 15 days a year at most. So 130 additional daily trains, with or almost the same number of employees, we won’t be able to do that”warns Alexandre Welsch, Sud Rail delegate.
“The new drivers are in training. It would probably have to be delayed for six or eight months to have all the manpower and equipment available. There we will pit the users against the railway workers because we are not ready. »
This Sunday morning, at Strasbourg station, several trains from Sélestat or to Molsheim were effectively cancelled. But in the face of possible difficulties, the CEO of the SNCF wants to be reassuring. “Railway workers sometimes complain (…) but they are committed. And when we look for this cause of sustainable mobility, the role of the railways, they know how to become interested parties and conditions for success”Jean-Pierre Farandou said on Thursday.
