Rail market liberalization
In the 2000s, markets for rail freight and international passenger rail opened up to competition. Now, open access contracts (high-speed and some classic long-distance services) and public service contracts (INTERCITÉS, TER and Transilien services) are following suit.
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Short versionA guide to rail market liberalization in France
France’s Law of 27 June 2018 on the New Rail Pact opened passenger rail transport up to competition, introducing market liberalization in different ways for different service types. It covers three segments of the rail transport market, distinguishes between two types of market, and will be phased in according to a set schedule.
Market segments
- High-speed (LGV) lines and long-distance services
- Regional trains (TET) — short- to medium-distance routes operated by SNCF Voyageurs under the INTERCITÉS brand, for which the French State acts as the mobility organizing authority (AOM).
- Paris-region lines operated by SNCF Voyageurs under the Transilien brand and governed by an agreement with Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), as well as regional express transport (TER) and short-distance services governed by agreements with regional AOMs.
Contracts
- Open access contracts (SLO): These apply to high-speed lines and certain conventional-speed lines spanning multiple regions, which may be operated by different railway companies.
- Public-service contracts (INTERCITÉS, TER, Transilien): Services where the transport authority (AOMs)—the French State, French regions and Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM)—are gradually opening their networks to competition.
Timeline
- Since December 2019, the French State and regional governments have been authorized to put their TET and TER mobility contracts out to bid.
- Since December 2020, high-speed lines carrying TGVs have operated on an open-access basis (SLO), except where regional contracts apply.
- Since December 2023, the French State and regional governments have been required to put all new rail operating contracts out to bid. This transition will take place gradually, over a period ending in 2033, at which time all lines will be covered. In practical terms, calls for tender will be organized on a schedule defined by AOMs.
Special conditions apply in the Paris region, where Transilien commuter service will open to competition progressively through 2039.
New contract opportunities by segment
TGV, TET, TER and Transilien service: learn how each segment is opening up to competition.
High-speed trains (TGVs)
SNCF Voyageurs has historically operated all of France’s TGV lines. Today, other rail companies are eligible to run services on domestic high-speed routes, particularly the most profitable lines. For example, Trenitalia now operates trains on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille and Paris-Milan routes, while Renfe offers service between Marseille, Barcelona and Madrid.
Trains d’Équilibre du Territoire (TET)
These lines are currently operated by SNCF Voyageurs under the INTERCITÉS brand through a contract with the national mobility authority, the French State. In January 2025, the State opted to renew its contract with SNCF Voyageurs for the first regional lines opened to competition: Nantes-Lyon and Nantes-Bordeaux.
Regional express trains
As the mobility authorities for TER trains, regional governments are required to open these lines to competitive bidding no later than 1 January 2034. Several regions have already launched calls for tender. To prepare, SNCF Voyageurs has created dedicated subsidiaries to operate TER services in each market it wins.
Transilien lines
The Transilien Line L was the first in the Paris region to be opened to competitive bidding. Our subsidiary, SNCF Voyageurs Cœur Ouest IDF, was awarded the contract in May 2025. On 17 October 2025, Île-de-France Mobilités set the timeline for opening the rest of the region’s rail lines to competition, a process that will take place gradually from mid-2026 through the end of 2039.
A European leader
Through our SNCF Voyageurs subsidiary, SNCF Group already has a 43% share of the European high-speed rail market. We serve:
- Belgium (TGV INOUI and Eurostar)
- Luxembourg (TGV INOUI)
- Germany (DB-SNCF Voyageurs operating jointly and Eurostar)
- Spain (TGV INOUI and a domestic offering under the OUIGO España brand)
- Switzerland (TGV Lyria operated in tandem with CFF)
- Italy (TGV INOUI)
In doing so, we’re putting our unique railway expertise to work Europe-wide.
What’s new for passengers
With passenger rail now open to competition, new operators can run trains on lines that were once reserved for national carriers. For example, Trenitalia operates Frecciarossa trains on the Paris-Lyon line, while the Franco-German group Transdev serves TER customers on the Marseille-Nice route.
The same is true in other European countries: trains operated by our Keolis subsidiary, specialized in shared mobility, now serve passengers at railway stations in the United Kingdom.
Countdown to competition in 10 key dates
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