New Régiolis Trains to Boost Nouvelle-Aquitaine's Rail Fleet
SNCF Voyageurs, France's national passenger operator, has confirmed an order for ten additional Régiolis regional trains from the CAF-Alstom consortium. The contract, valued at approximately €80 million, was announced by CAF on January 15, 2026, and is set to bolster the rail services in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in southwestern France.
This latest acquisition will expand Nouvelle-Aquitaine's existing Régiolis fleet from 54 to 64 units, enhancing regional connectivity and passenger capacity.
Advanced Features and Passenger Comfort
The newly ordered Régiolis trainsets are four-car, bimode units, capable of operating on both electric power and diesel traction. This dual-mode capability provides operational flexibility, particularly on routes that are only partially electrified. Each train is designed to accommodate 208 seated passengers.
Passenger comfort has been a key consideration in the design, with features including:
- Large windows for enhanced views
- Indirect LED interior lighting
- Seats equipped with armrests, reading lights, and power outlets
Consortium Collaboration and Manufacturing
The order underscores the ongoing industrial cooperation between Spanish manufacturer CAF and French transport giant Alstom. Under the consortium agreement, CAF will be responsible for the design and final assembly of the trains at its Reichshoffen plant in Alsace. Alstom, in turn, will supply various essential onboard systems and equipment, including bogies from its Le Creusot plant, motors from Ornans, traction systems from Tarbes, and onboard computer systems from Villeurbanne.
This contract is an option on existing agreements for Régiolis sets previously procured by other French regions, such as Franche-Comté and Région Sud. CAF's involvement in the Régiolis platform deepened following its 2021 acquisition of Alstom's Reichshoffen industrial plant, taking on responsibility for the development and production of these regional train variants for SNCF.
5 Comments
Mariposa
€80 million for only ten trains? That seems incredibly expensive for regional service.
Muchacha
Why is it always Nouvelle-Aquitaine getting the upgrades? Other regions are still using ancient stock.
Comandante
Only 208 seats per train? That's barely enough to make a difference on busy routes.
Bermudez
Another contract for the same old consortium. Where's the innovation or competition?
Africa
Expanding the fleet is a step in the right direction for regional travel, though it’s important to consider if these ten trains are truly sufficient to meet growing demand or if more substantial investment is required long-term.