RATP Dev Caen rail network contract starts July 2027

RATP Dev Caen rail network contract will put the operator in charge of services around Caen and its metropolitan area, within the Étoile de Caen network, according to RATP Dev. The agreement runs for 10 and a half years. Operations are set to begin in July 2027.

Under the contract, RATP Dev will manage nearly 20% of NOMAD Train TER regional traffic. A pre-operation phase began in January 2026. It is intended to support the social, industrial, and commercial transition ahead of the start of service. NOMAD Train TER (Transport Express Régional) are regional rail services operated in the Normandy region of France.

What the RATP Dev Caen rail network contract covers?

The deal applies to ten key routes on the Caen rail network. Services will ramp up gradually during the pre-operation period. Commercial operations will run from July 11, 2027, to December 12, 2037, as reported by Railway Pro.

The pre-operation period is set at 18 months. It is framed as a structured and socially responsible transition. Since the tender process began, the text describes ongoing social dialogue with stakeholders. The stated aim is to ensure workforce stability and guarantee uninterrupted service in 2027.

Don’t miss…Amtrak maintenance facilities plan focuses on full trainsets

In addition, the contract is described as the first batch opened to competition. The region says it has enabled a 50% increase in the number of trains, according to Railway Supply.

Through this contract, there will be “more trains, increased reliability, and a greater presence of ground staff, starting in 2027, when passengers will see a real, tangible difference,” said Hiba Farès, President of RATP Dev.

Service growth on NOMAD Train TER routes

RATP Dev says it will work in close cooperation with the Normandy Region. The goal is to provide more frequent services that better match passenger needs. Transport services are expected to increase by around 50% between 2024 and 2028. The improvements are focused on essential daily routes.

For example, several lines are planned for sharp frequency increases to better serve workers, students, and occasional passengers. The Caen–Cherbourg line is set to move from four trains per day to eight. Caen–Évreux is expected to increase from one train per day to eight.

Targets for punctuality, staffing and passenger support

Alongside the added capacity, the plan includes performance targets. These include punctuality above 93.4%, compared with 91.8% currently. The contract also calls for a significant reduction in the number of canceled trains. It also sets out higher reliability to keep connections and journeys running as planned.

Separately, passenger information and assistance are set to improve. A digital assistance platform, available 24/7 even without a staffed ticket office, will provide real-time information and guidance. More on-board staff will be assigned to passenger service. Certain long-distance routes will also offer catering services to enhance comfort.

At the same time, these measures are intended to create a smoother, more human, and more reliable experience for travelers in Normandy.

Still, the text also points to recent satisfaction and ridership figures. The Caen rail network consists of ten strategic lines. Trenul Nomad services recorded a 93.3% user satisfaction rate last year. It also reports that, following investments of over EUR 3 billion, passenger numbers increased by 23% between 2019 and 2025.

“Since adopting our strategy of gradually opening up the rail system to competition, we have done everything possible to ensure that this profound transformation benefits the inhabitants of Normandy, and we will continue to do so until the end of the process,” said Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: