The call for expressions of interest in night train services, for which the Ministry of Transport is responsible, has just been published.
Press release
Claude Steinmetz is the new President of AFRA
Claude Steinmetz, director of Transdev’s rail operations in France, will take over from Albert Alday, CEO of Thello, as President of AFRA (Association française du rail). Claude Steinmetz is also Chairman of […]
The French State abandons the operation of night trains
At his press conference on February 19, 2016, Secretary of State, Alain Vidalies, requested the Transport Contracting Authority, under the supervision of the State, to call for expressions of interest from rail operators to determine the conditions for the operation of night trains.
Rail freight representative organisations call for a freeze on rail freight charges by SNCF Réseau

The French rail freight representative organisations (freight forwarders and operators) are concerned about the short-termism of rail freight policy in France. They call for progress towards the average European path charge (€2.8 per train-kilometer) and an immediate freeze on access charges at 2016 levels so as to preserve the competitiveness of the rail freight industry.
Elabe / AFRA survey on the future of rail transport
Paris, November 25, 2015. On the eve of regional elections, AFRA (l’Association française du rail) commissioned ELABE, a polling and market research firm, to poll a representative sample of the French population […]
French rail reform. Act I
In view of the improvements proposed by the French Parliament, AFRA is of the opinion that the Bill to be adopted by the National Assembly and Senate, this week, is certainly a […]
A pointless strike!
On June 3, a number of railway workers’ unions called for recurring one-day strikes, starting on June 10, to protest against the reform of the French railway sector that comes before Parliament […]
Liberalisation of passenger transport by rail: making haste slowly is not “reasonable”
A start to the liberalisation of passenger transport by rail in 2027, is not “reasonable”, to quote the President of the Rhône-Alpes Regional Authority in an article in the newspaper “Les Echos”. […]
In support of pilot projects in rail passenger transport.
The rail companies who comprise the membership of AFRA (Association Française du Rail) are ready to support regional authorities wishing to begin the move to open their rail passenger markets to competition. […]
For a more ambitious reform of the French rail sector
Frédéric Cuvillier, the French Minister of Transport, recently presented to the Council of Ministers the major outlines of the reform of the French rail sector, initiated by the government last autumn. The […]
No ambition for the French rail sector without genuine liberalisation!
The French Minister of Transport recently announced his decision to merge RFF, the infrastructure manager, with SNCF, leading, among other things, to the pooling of RFF’s and SNCF’s responsibilities for the management […]
Reform of the French railways: AFRA calls for a precise timetable and concrete measures
Three months after its opening, the French railways forum is being concluded today. AFRA (l’Association Française du Rail) warmly welcomes this initiative, which, if the wishes of the Ministers for the Environment […]
Railway forum: the need for thoroughgoing reform to revive French railways
In Paris on September 15, Ministers Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet and Thierry Mariani will open the French railway forum. The forum’s four specialised committees (competition and social issues, governance, economy and finance, industry) have […]
Passengers: AFRA calls for a modern and coherent collective agreement for the benefit of the rail industry
Now that his position has been bolstered by a new official letter of guidance from the President of France, the Chairman of the SNCF has laid down a number of conditions for […]
Inter-regional rail services in France: A lost opportunity to test the new competition regime
As announced at the interministerial meeting on regional development (Ciadt of May 11, 2010) the agreement between the French State and the SNCF on inter-regional rail services in France is due to […]