Paris RER Signs a 2.1 Billion Euro Check

On April 10, 2025, Île-de-France Mobilités approved an order for 96 Next Generation RER trains, bringing the total number of NG trains to 132.

The goal for the Île-de-France region and the RER Line D, one of the most heavily used in Europe (615,000 travelers per day), is simple: replace all operating Z2N trains (excluding the Malesherbes branch) and transform the transportation experience for millions of Île-de-France residents by 2029. The line D has long been criticized for its punctuality issues, repeated incidents, and aging trains.

This order is part of an ambitious modernization plan launched in 2016. In less than ten years, IDFM will have invested in 1200 new or renovated trains to address a dual challenge: increasing ridership and aging rolling stock.

An innovative train for a line that is reinventing itself

The RER NG, co-developed by Alstom and Transilien SNCF Voyages, is designed to meet the specific challenges of RER lines. It was put into service in November 2023 on Line E and in December 2024 on the RER D, where about ten sets are already running on the Corbeil-Essonnes branch.

Designed as a train of the 21st century, the RER NG offers:

An open and modular design along its entire length,
Enhanced comfort: intelligent air conditioning, adaptive LED lighting, USB ports,
Full accessibility with wide doors, wheelchair spaces, and level access platforms,
Real-time connected passenger information.

In terms of performance, these trains will be equipped with the NExTEO system, an advanced automatic control system scheduled for 2027-2028, which will allow increasing train frequency while improving punctuality.

Enhanced logistics and modernized technicenters

The delivery of this new order must strictly adhere to the contractual schedule to enable the deployment of about thirty trains by the end of 2025. To support this renewal, two key technicenters are mobilized:

The new maintenance site in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, whose construction started in June 2024,
The Joncherolles technicenter, currently being modernized, will play a central role in train maintenance.

IDFM has mandated regular reporting on the program’s progress, in coordination with Alstom and SNCF Voyages, to prevent delays in delivery or commissioning.

Towards better punctuality and enhanced service quality

The punctuality rate of RER D increased by 1 point between 2023 and 2024, reaching 87.5% for the year. This improvement, still fragile, could be reinforced by the ongoing modernization. By renewing its rolling stock, IDFM hopes to reduce technical incidents, streamline operations, and make the service more reliable for users.