Cross-border TER services between France and its neighbours

摘要

SNCF's cross-border traffic is only a small share of its overall TER traffic (approx. I% in passenger-km). This is due of course in part to geography (lengthy coastline, the natural barriers formed by the Alps and the Pyrenees), and in part to the border effect. It is nonetheless important to continue enhancing cross-border railway services for at least two reasons: 1. the border effect is gradually declining as European integration takes place (single currency, recognition of diplomas, etc.), 2. the traffic is largely in urban areas, where driving and parking private cars is increasingly difficult. Furthermore, there is a real political determination emerging in certain quarters to embrace cross-border cooperation in various fields, such as culture, energy, waste disposal, education and health, in the context of the European project.