our history

Réseau Ferré de France is established as the owner and manager of railway infrastructures by the law of 13 February 1997, and in return it inherits the debt of SNCF (French National Railway), and signs an agreement with the operator to manage traffic and maintain the network.

 

Various milestones are set. Réseau Ferré de France goes on to sign funding agreements with the Government, and debt management agreements with SNCF. The Government sets down the rules for usage charge increases over the coming years.

 

The company demonstrates its role, its methods and support for the renewal of railway transport by organising the first Railway Infrastructure Conferences at the Senate. This year sees funding approval for the East European high speed line (HSL).

 

The first strategic plan and launch of the East European HSL, the first project carried out under the direct leadership of Réseau Ferré de France.

Ten years of expertise…

 

The green light is given for the new Lyon to Turin line, following agreement from the French and European governments.

 

Several construction sites are launched, and in Moselle the first stone for the East European HSL is laid. A new line is declared for public use: the Rhin-Rhône HSL. At the same time, Réseau Ferré de France signs the European RailNetEurope agreement and a contract with France Télécom relating to occupancy of railway property.

 

Réseau Ferré de France is assigned a new mission: to distribute the capacities allocated by the French railway network The company signs a partnership charter with Voies Navigables de France (VNF) in favour of intermodality. This year also sees much consultation, with the launch of public meetings: Haut-Bugey line, the Nimes and Montpellier bypass, Angoulême Bordeaux, CGD Express, and Brittany-Pays de la Loire HSL.

 

Réseau Ferré de France launches its RFF2007 business plan, the issue of 30-year debt securities totalling €500m and the ERTMS pilot project, and creates 12 regional divisions to strengthen its territorial presence, alongside its local partners.

Learning more about the potential of the network

 

Réseau Ferré de France welcomes the first private railway company onto its network.
Opening of the Grasse-Canne line, the Rennes-Saint Malo and Saint Etienne-Firminy electric lines, of the new automated signal box at Metz-Sablon and the launch of the rolling motorway project between Perpignan and Figueras.

 

The plans to develop the railway system are moving full steam ahead, with the effective opening of freight traffic to competition, the creation of the French Railway Safety Authority (EPSF), and the option for Réseau Ferré de France to enter into public private partnerships to help expand the network. The company starts work on the Rhin-Rhône HSL.

 

Mr. Hubert du Mesnil, Chairman of Réseau Ferré de France, opens the East European HSL in the presence of the Minister for Transport. Together with the SNCF (French National Railways) and ALSTOM, the company sets a new rail speed record of 574.8 km/h. Réseau Ferré de France launches the first stage of a project for a comprehensive overhaul of traffic on its network in the Rhône-Alpes region (pilot region). Together with the SNCF, the company commits to further network maintenance by signing a new 2007-2019 management agreement, and puts forth various proposals at the Environment Round Table, including the development of railway freight. A range of European directives paves the way for opening up international passenger transport to competition starting from 2010.

 

Réseau Ferré de France launches a call for tender for the South Europe Atlantic HSL and delegates the management of its advertising space to METROBUS and to J.C. DECAUX-AVENIR.

 

As part of its national network management responsibilities, Réseau Ferré de France is undertaking efforts to contribute to the success of the Freight Plan. The company strives to offer its customers a permanent infrastructure and high-quality slots. This ambition has resulted in a programme to support the development of railway freight.

The first comprehensive Bilan Carbone® railway carbon footprint assessment confirms the contribution that new high-speed lines are making to meeting the objectives of the Environment Round Table. Analyses show that the operation of the Rhine-Rhône high-speed railway line will make the entire project "carbon positive" from 2024.

Réseau Ferré de France has reached a decisive stage in the construction of the Brittany-Pays de la Loire high-speed railway line. This new line, which measures 182 km, is the first high-speed line awarded by Réseau Ferré de France to a private consortium for construction under a partnership contract. The government, Réseau Ferré de France, the region of Brittany and the region of Pays de la Loire signed a framework financing agreement to this effect on 29 July 2009.
 

Legislation accompanying the deregulation of the international railway transportation of passengers was published in France’s Official Journal on 9 December 2009. Adopted by Parliament on November 3, the Act on the Organisation and Regulation of Railway Transport transposes into French law several European directives and regulations with the aim of establishing a framework for market deregulation.

Record investment of €3.9 billion in 2010 shows the growing efforts deployed by Réseau Ferré de France to complete its modernisation mission.

The future, an open network and new economic horizons.