Grenoble-Gap Train: SNCF finally reopens the line!
This page is translated from the original post "Train Grenoble-Gap : la SNCF rouvre enfin la ligne !" in French.
- 13/12/2022 10:00
After three years of closure, the SNCF line between Grenoble and Gap reopened this Sunday, December 11. Some are concerned about the future of the line.
It’s a relief for residents of southern Isère. The TER line connecting Grenoble to Gap has just reopened three years after its closure. The line nearly faced permanent closure several times due to its age. Following its reopening this Sunday, December 11, it now offers five daily round trips. Isère, Hautes-Alpes, and Drôme are once again connected, much to the delight of commuters.
1000 daily travelers between Grenoble and Gap
The TER line transported nearly 1000 travelers per day before its closure. Many users had to rethink their transportation methods for commuting. Considered outdated and too expensive, it was threatened with permanent closure. In 2019, an inter-regional steering committee approved a financing plan for its partial renovation. In total, out of 110 km of railway, only 18 km were renovated over three years.
Nearly 35 million euros were allocated: 28.3 million euros from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and 6.4 million euros from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. The funding comes from regional authorities, regional prefectures, departments, and SNCF Réseau. Starting in 2025, new construction works are scheduled to begin.
A line that still raises concerns
However, elected officials and residents remain worried. To ensure the line’s sustainability, other works must be carried out at a cost of 100 million euros. But there are no guarantees at this moment: “The works need to start quickly; we know it takes time, and now we need to secure several hundred million euros. I am rather optimistic, given that we initially said yes, which really meant we wanted to save this line,” explains Christophe Ferrari, President (DVG) of Grenoble Alpes Métropole.
On his side, Grenoble’s mayor, Éric Piolle (EELV), is less optimistic. During the inauguration, no SNCF member or government representatives were present. “If ministers are not here when they normally attend inaugurations, and the regional president is absent, it’s clear that there is currently no agreement for the second phase of works in 2025, and thus a significant risk hangs over this line,” he adds.
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