Southern Alps rail network struggles with aging infrastructure

The Southern Alps rail network, a vital part of regional transport in France, is facing significant issues due to aging infrastructure, insufficient investment, and limited service frequency. The Marseille-Briançon line, serving rural areas in the Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Drôme, operates with only three round trips daily, with more than five hours between departures, limiting flexibility for passengers.

Veynes station faces service challenges

Veynes station, a key hub for the Southern Alps railway network, had its ticket counter closed in 2023, with a mobile team now offering service from a snack bar. This change has created difficulties for travelers, particularly younger passengers who find the app-based ticketing system challenging. The Veynes Railway Star Collective, formed in 2016, advocates for better infrastructure and more crossings.

Aging infrastructure and slow speeds

The Southern Alps railway, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025, has tracks that have not been replaced, leading to slower train speeds. The collective hopes funds from the 2030 Winter Olympics will help reduce these slowdowns. However, the 22 km section connecting Digne-les-Bains to the Alpine line has been abandoned since 1991, leaving the main city in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence disconnected from the rail network. Restoring this section would cost over 100 million euros, according to SNCF Réseau.

France's rail decline and underinvestment

In France, small rail lines are declining due to chronic underinvestment, favoring the high-speed TGV network. Between 2019 and 2024, 1,167 km of tracks have been closed, or 2.4% of the network. Although rail investments have increased, they remain insufficient to prevent the decline in service quality. France invests 4.5 billion euros annually in rail regeneration, about 70 euros per inhabitant, much less than in England and Switzerland.

SNCF's funding efforts remain uncertain

The SNCF has pursued funding through energy saving certificates, public-private partnerships, and European funds. However, these efforts have not reassured railway actors, as the State has promised a billion euros from 2028, but this remains uncertain. The SNCF has also focused on generating dividends from TGV users to fund track regeneration, but these efforts are seen as minimal to save the "structural" network.

Growing financial burden on regions

The French government is increasingly shifting financial responsibility for these lines to the Regions, which are already struggling financially. SNCF Réseau predicts a 39% increase in tolls charged to TERs by 2033, further challenging regional rail services. The railway community acknowledges that France has lacked ambition in preserving its once exemplary rail network, despite the train's role in sustainable mobility.