In a plenary session, regional officials voted for an investment of over 122 million euros to initiate the construction work for the New Provence Côte d’Azur Line. This project aims to enhance the rail transport service on the Marseille-Nice axis and lay the foundations for a more regular and better-connected network.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region is taking action. During its last Plenary Assembly, it approved a funding of 122.4 million euros to initiate the first construction works of the New Provence Côte d’Azur Line (LNPCA).
This funding represents 10% of the total cost of the first phase of the project, estimated at 1.4 billion euros. This initial phase includes the future Nice Airport Station, the expansion of the Saint-Charles Station in Marseille, and the establishment of a railway shuttle in the Toulon metropolitan area with a train every fifteen minutes. Construction is expected to begin in 2030.
In addition to this budget vote, regional officials approved a single financing agreement for phases 1 and 2. They also approved specific agreements related to the work on Nice Station and the Toulon shuttle.
“With this vote, we are entering a new phase of the project, and we are beginning much-anticipated work,” stated Renaud Muselier, President of the Southern Region. “The New Provence Côte d’Azur Line offers us the opportunity to sustainably transform the rail infrastructure from Marseille to Nice, so that everyday trains are faster, more frequent, and more punctual.”
The project is financed 40% by the state, 20% by the European Union, and 40% by eleven local authorities. Among them are the Southern Region, the concerned departments, several metropolitan areas, and groupings of municipalities. Together, they are grouped within the LNPCA Company.
A new contribution to finance everyday transport
Another decision made in the plenary session was the creation of a contribution dedicated to financing regional transport. Starting July 1, 2025, a 0.15% payroll contribution will apply to companies with more than 11 employees. Only 3.5% of the region’s companies will be affected.
This contribution will enable several developments starting in 2025:
– a 30% increase in TER train services,
– a 6% increase in regional buses,
– strengthening the security plan in stations,
– and support for ecological transition with a target of saving 200,000 tons of CO₂ each year.
This scheme was discussed with local economic representatives. The CPME Sud, the Chamber of Trades, and the MEDEF of Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse participated in the discussions.
Among the announced measures is a 20% reduction on all TER ZOU! subscriptions starting July 2025. A “satisfied or refunded” platform will also be launched, allowing monthly subscription reimbursements if less than 80% of the trains are on time or maintained.
A second contribution rate was decided with economic partners: 0.08% of payroll starting January 1, 2026. An envelope of 50 million euros is planned to support weakened companies.
Larger companies and professional federations support the initiative. Among them: ALSTOM, Biotech Dental, the Construction Federation, and the Public Transport Union.
“Through discussion and exchange with the CPME and the departmental MEDEFs, we found a fair and effective solution,” concluded Renaud Muselier.
