FRANCE: Open access operator Railcoop has been granted an operating licence to run both passenger and freight trains, marking another step in the not-for-profit co-operative’s journey towards regular day-to-day operations.
The licence was awarded by the Ministry of Ecological Transition on September 14 with the formal announcement published in the Official Journal on September 22. It specifies that Railcoop must commence operations no later than June 30 2023. However, the fledgling operator must still obtain a safety certificate from national safety authority Etablissement Public de Sécurité Ferroviaire.
Railcoop confirmed on September 23 that it intends to launch its initial local freight service on November 15. This will link Viviez-Decazeville and Capdenac to the logistics hub at Toulouse St-Jory, with road collection and distribution at each end. Traction will be provided by a leased four-axle Class BB75000 Bo-Bo Prima diesel locomotive hauling Rils 26 wagons designed for palletised goods.
The co-operative also confirmed its intention to commence passenger services in June 2022. Its first route will link Bordeaux and Lyon via the Massif Central, with calls at Libourne, Périgueux, Limoges, Saint-Sulpice-Laurière, Guéret, Montluçon, Gannat, Saint-Germain-des-Fossés and Roanne. This would initially be operated using second-hand Class X72500 diesel multiple-units, although negotiations continue with Alstom, Siemens, Stadler and Titagarh Firema about possible new rolling stock.
Railcoop applied to the Autorité de Régulation des Transports in June 2020 for rights to run passenger services on routes from Toulouse to Rennes and Lyon to Thionville, later requesting amendments to operate Toulouse – Saint-Brieuc/Caen and Thionville – Lyon – Grenoble. In June 2021 it sought rights from the regulator to operate on six more routes: Annecy – Marseille; Lille – Nantes; Massy – Brest; Brest – Bordeaux; Le Croisic – Bâle and Strasbourg – Clermont-Ferrand.
Structured as a ‘community interest group’, Railcoop had 9 142 shareholders as at September 17.
