Rail transport More passengers - France refreshes old TGV trains
The French state railroad SNCF is planning an extensive modernization of its TGV high-speed trains in view of the rush of passengers. 104 of the TGV high-speed trains are to be modernized at a cost of around 600 million euros.
20.02.2026, 02:14
20.02.2026, 03:55
SDA
This means that the trains will now remain in service for 40 to 50 years instead of an average of 34 years, according to the SNCF. The reason for the refurbishment of the older trains is that new TGV trains ordered a long time ago will be delivered by the industry much later than agreed.
The SNCF explained that older trains were being modernized in order not to let the rapidly increasing number of people travelling by train in France suffer from the lack of trains and to maintain the timetable. Almost a third of the TGV fleet is affected. All trains will be fitted with new seats, floor coverings, lighting, sockets, toilets and a new bar. The outside of the trains will also be repainted. Trains whose service life is extended by ten years or more also undergo a thorough technical modernization.
Last year, the number of passengers on TGV trains rose by 3.5% year-on-year to 168 million. Compared to 2019, the increase was 18 percent. According to the SNCF, the number of passengers on French regional trains increased by 40 percent between 2019 and 2025.
