Work on the SNCF line between Paris and Orléans: coaches deployed in 2025

A transport plan, including the deployment of coaches, was presented on Tuesday, November 12 by the Centre-Val de Loire region and the SNCF to compensate for the cessation of daytime train traffic between Paris and Orléans from April 2025, due to works.

From April 2025, preparatory work will result in the interruption of train traffic for five hours per day on weekdays between 10:00 a.m. and 15:00 p.m. on this line which connects Paris to Toulouse via Orléans and Limoges (POLT line).

"We are fully mobilized to limit as much as possible the consequences for our travelers," declared Hélène Marquet, regional director of SNCF Voyageurs during a press conference.

The bulk of the work will begin in August 2025, with rail traffic cuts between 9:30 a.m. and 17:30 p.m. on weekdays until the end of January 2026. The work is scheduled to be completed in February 2026.

During the work periods, "the frequency of trains will be increased during peak hours", assured Ms Marquet, specifying that "1.000 additional seats would be added over the two hours preceding and following the interruptions".

Some trains will run with three rakes to increase their capacity, a new feature, and passenger information will be intensified.

"More than 70% of TER Rémi trains will run from Monday to Sunday," she also promised the 125.000 weekly passengers on the regional Remi lines.

Bus services will also be provided during the hours of the cut, "offering 700 places per day" at 12 euros per journey.

The operation, which consists of completely renovating 70 km of track (rails, ballast and sleepers) in Loiret, between Boisseaux and Les Aubrais, using a factory train, could not take place at night, according to SNCF Réseau, due to the circulation of freight trains to be preserved.

"We are extremely unhappy, but extremely mobilised to guarantee the continuity of the service" and "manage the mess", said Philippe Fournié, regional vice-president responsible for transport, who estimated the additional cost of these adaptations at three million euros for regional finances.

The detailed transport offer will be available at the end of January 2025.

In recent years, elected officials and local authorities have often pointed out a degraded line and highlighted "essential" work undertaken since 2018.

This project, costing 133 million euros and already postponed twice, is entirely financed by SNCF Réseau.