FRANCE: Community interest open access operator Railcoop says that an initial audit by ACC-M of the X72500 diesel multiple-units it has acquired for its planned Lyon – Bordeaux service found that they are in good condition.
Railcoop has taken on a fleet of nine DMUs from SNCF Voyageurs, eight three-car sets to operate the service plus a two-car unit for spares. Inspection of the first two found that they are ‘in a good state’, according to Railcoop General Manager Nicolas Debaisieux. The DMUs were built by Alsthom at the end of the 1990s and were previously used by SNCF on regional services in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The next step in the refurbishment will be for Railcoop to specify exactly how much work is to be done. Debaisieux says that more spaces for bikes and better facilities for passengers with reduced mobility will be essential.
However, increasing the amount of space for multi-functional areas will not be easy as a single area near the main doors of the saloon is currently used for both bicycle storage and PRM access. Any significant changes to the internal layout risk voiding the trains’ main line certification.
ACC M has recommended a full mid-life refit, but Debaisieux suggests that this could cost ‘almost €10m for the eight trains’. ACC M is to act as the future entity in charge of the maintenance for the Railcoop fleet.
Funding difficulties
Speaking at the ACC M workshop in Clermont Ferrand on November 30, Railcoop’s management was unable to confirm a start date for the passenger service between Lyon and Bordeaux.
Although Railcoop has 13 000 sociétaires under its co-operative model and €8m in cash reserves, the launch of the service could require funding of up to €43m. Debaisieux explained that guarantees for bank loans are complex to find.
Some French regions are reportedly ready to be the guarantor of loans to Railcoop, but negotiations have not yet reached financial close.
Debaisieux said the company is exploring options for a partial launch of passenger services as its fleet and financial undertakings are finalised.
