Launch of ZOU! Train Service: Marseille, Toulon, and Nice Connected
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region has marked a historic milestone with the launch of the ZOU! train service, operated by Transdev Sud, on June 29, 2025. This marks the first time the line has opened to competition, replacing SNCF on this route.
The new service offers a modern, frequent, and eco-friendly connection, providing passengers with improved services and enhanced comfort. The goal is to deliver a reliable, comfortable, and humane transport service, with a focus on punctuality and sustainability.
### Service Details
The service boasts a full hourly timetable from day one, replacing the previous nine round trips every two hours. Transdev aims for a 97% punctuality rate, an improvement over the previous 80% punctuality rate.
The main stations along the route are Marseille, Toulon, and Nice, with key regional stations served in between. The service utilizes a fleet of 16 Alstom Omneo Premium Z 59000 electric multiple units (EMUs), double-deck 8-car trains. Initially, only 8 Omneo trains were available, supplemented by leased trains from other French regions to maintain the full service. All 16 Omneos are expected to be in service by the end of November 2025.
The high-quality interior of the trains features first and second-class seating, increased space for luggage and bicycles (up to 12 bike spaces), light meals and refreshments available from vending machines, and onboard Customer Relations Officers to enhance passenger comfort and security. The trains run on green electricity, emphasizing eco-responsibility.
### Job Creation and Fare Reduction
The launch and operation of the ZOU! train service have led to job creation, with the hiring of Customer Relations Officers and other positions to improve onboard service and security. The exact number of jobs created is not specified in the sources.
Région Sud offers a fares reduction for both occasional and regular travelers. The new generation trains represent a significant upgrade over the previous Corail trains.
### Financing and Maintenance
The maintenance and the trainsets have been financed up to EUR 130 million by the Banque des Territoires. A 2,000 m2 site has been built in Nice by NGE group for the maintenance of the trains, with a total cost of around EUR 40 million euros.
The new ZOU! train service has created more than 180 direct jobs, including drivers and maintenance mechanics. The project aims to offer a more ambitious public service with double the number of trains on this route.
In summary, the ZOU! train service provides a modern, frequent, and eco-friendly connection with enhanced passenger comfort and reliability, supported by a fleet of 16 new Alstom Omneo trains and a commitment to service quality and punctuality. The service operates between Marseille, Toulon, and Nice, with a journey time of 2 hours 40 minutes, serving nine stations: Marseille Saint-Charles, Toulon, Carnoules, Les Arcs Draguignan, Saint-Raphaël Valescure, Cannes, Antibes, Nice Saint-Augustin, and Nice-Ville. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region has opened up its regional trains to competition, making it the first region in France to do so. More than 92,000 tickets were sold before the official launch of the line on June 29, 2025.
The launch of the ZOU! train service in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, operated by Transdev Sud, has not only created over 180 direct jobs but also received a significant financial backing of EUR 130 million from the Banque des Territoires. This modern, eco-friendly transportation solution in the industry is part of the region's transition towards a more sustainable finance sector.
