Lightweight passenger trains, digital rail and automated freight for France. The French Ministry of Ecological Transition launched calls for Expressions of Interest in projects concerning “digitalisation and decarbonising of rail transport” on July 29.This is part of the “Relance France” (Relaunching France) post-Covid-19 investment programme.
The calls are for three main topics: lightweight passenger trains, digitalising the rail network and automating rail freight. Up to €250m in government support is available. Development of lightweight passenger trains is seen as essential element in the revival of marginal branch lines – helping to reduce costs, increase train frequency, attract more passengers and thus improve the economics of such lines.