Financing the future of rail: a priority for France and its regions
The Ambition France Transports conference opened on 5 May 2025 in Marseille. This national initiative, led by the French government, aims to redefine a long-term funding model for transportation infrastructure. As an active stakeholder, SNCF Group is all in. We fully support the urgent need to upgrade the rail network, guarantee a high-quality service that meets future needs, and accelerate the green transition.
Mobility—financing future needs
Looking ahead to 2040, France faces rising mobility demands, along with the urgent need to accelerate the shift to lower-carbon rail solutions. But how can this transition be effectively funded?
That’s the key question driving the Ambition France Transports conference, launched on 5 May 2025 in Marseilles.
Spearheaded by the French government and chaired by former Secretary of State for Transport, Dominique Bussereau, the conference comes at a time when 56% of people in France say investment in railways should be a national priority, and expectations for expanding and improving public transport are high1.
€4.5bn
Annual investment needed to maintain and upgrade the existing network
52%
of people in France see rail freight transport as the #1 priority for future mobility1
30%
of France’s total CO2 emissions come from transport (but rail accounts for less than 1% of this)
10 weeks focused on 4 themes
Running through July, the conference brings together over 50 participants, from local authorities and parliamentarians to industry experts, user groups, sector federations and public/private stakeholders. Four workshops will focus on:
- The MOA (Mobility Organizing Authority) and SERM (metropolitan regional express services) model.
- The future of core road networks in France, as historic motorway concession contracts reach their expiry dates.
- Financing models for passenger rail infrastructure and services.
- Investments needed to support the modal shift—including to green the rail freight sector.
New resources for rail
Rail travel in France is more popular than ever. As a key conference participant, SNCF Group will be presenting the current state of the rail network and working hard to secure the funding needed for its regeneration and modernization. Both are essential to ensure outstanding service in the years ahead.
Guaranteeing the sustainability of our core network
SNCF Group operates nearly 30,000 km of railway lines, with tracks 30 years old on average. Given this aging network, rising passenger traffic and the goal of doubling rail freight’s share of goods transport, new investment is crucial. This is particularly true for the 17,000 km “core” network that handles 90% of total rail traffic and 80% of regional passenger services.
Upgrading these lines is vital to expand SERM regional express services and deliver decarbonized transport solutions to areas outside major urban centres.
Investment needs: €1 billion a year in new resources
The State’s goal for rail network modernization is to raise investment from €3 billion to €4.5 billion a year.
From 2024 to 2027, this additional €1.5 billion annual contribution will be fully funded by SNCF Group. However, from 2028 on, SNCF Group will only contribute €500 million of the supplementary funds, as part of its already steep commitment to invest €1.2-1.4 billion a year. Which leaves a €1 billion shortfall.
Against this backdrop, Ambitions France Transports offers a unique opportunity to identify and secure new sources of funding.
Report to the Prime Minister in mid-July
The conference kicked off on 5 May in Marseille, with three more workshops scheduled.
The first is in mid-May, when a session at CESE (Economic, Social and Environmental Council) will bring NGOs and social partners into the mix.
The second, at the end of May, is hosted by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and will bring together economic and financial stakeholders to explore innovative financing options.
The third and final workshop will be held at the Hôtel de Roquelaure, which houses the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, in mid-June. Participants will examine concrete examples of how AI and emerging technologies are transforming France’s transport system.
A wrap-up meeting will be held in early July, and a full report summarizing the work of conference participants will be presented to the Prime Minister in mid-July.