Western extension of the HSR network toward Brittany

A partnership contract to finance a €3.4 billion project

French Transportation Minister Jean-Louis Borloo confirmed that a future High-Speed Rail link from Le Mans to Rennes (more precisely from Connerré in Sarthe to Cesson-Sévigné in Ille-et-Vilaine) would be build, and financed through a Partnership Contract (contrat de partenariat) agreement. The project includes two segments of 182 kilometres and 32 kilometres (see the “LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire” website below for a contextual map) and wuold cost up to €3.4 billion.

The Partnership Contract would cover €2.58 billion, with Réseau Ferré de France (RFF, the public body owner of the rail infrastructures in France) bringing up to 35 to 40% and local Governments bringing around €1 billion. Also, €270 million have already been spend in studies, right-of-way and additionnal constructions.

By the end of the second semester this year, a public request for proposal will be launched, and construction is expected to start by 2010. Operation would start by 2014 to 2015 according to Mr. Borloo.

Bringing Brest at around 3 hours from Paris

This new high-speed rail link will considerably improve travel times from Paris to Brittany, expected journey times would then be:

From Paris to Laval: 1h10 down from 1h41 (best travel times)
From Paris to Rennes: 1h27 down from 2h03
From Paris to Brest and from Paris to Quimper: 3h20 down from 4h11
From Paris to Nantes: 1h52 down from 2h04

One important thing with high-speed rail is to remain under or around three hours journey time, in order to gain market shares agains the plane.

References

Article: La LGV Bretagne-Pays-de-la-Loire sur les rails, Le Moniteur, Jul. 29, 2008: here
Website: Ligne à Grande Vitesse Bretagne-Pays de la Loire: here

References from the Transport Information Group

High-Speed Rail coverage on the Transport Information Group:

In brief: SNCF to test 350+ kph high-speed trains, Oct. 19, 2008
SNCF to acquire 20 pc of the Italian railroad NTV, Oct. 14, 2008
In brief: Call for proposals for Nimes and Montpellier rail bypass, Oct. 1, 2008
Rhône to Rhine HSR line will be delivered on time, Aug. 11, 2008
Western extension of the HSR network toward Brittany, Jul. 30, 2008
Future HSR line to Brittany: local governments participate in the funding, Jul. 1, 2008
Cargo Rail Express: does it ring a bell?, Jun. 27, 2008
In brief: High Speed Rail will invade Poland by 2020, Jun. 11, 2008
Matthieu Desiderio joins High Speed Rail Canada, May 31, 2008
High Speed Rail: Internet connection on board Thalys trains, May 27, 2008
France-Spain High Speed link starting in 2009, May 7, 2008
Deutsche Bahn: To be or not to be… privatised?, Apr. 23, 2008
French rail: unfinished reform, uncertain strategy?, Apr; 17, 2008
Eurotunnel and Eurostar 2008 1Q results: positive!, Apr. 16, 2008
SNCF: recent unexpected and future expected moves, Apr. 14, 2008
SNCF recent moves: toward privatization of freight activities?, Apr. 11, 2008
In brief: High-Speed Rail news from the world, Mar. 10, 2008
Four challenges for the future SNCF president, Feb. 18, 2008
Air France KLM attracted by the new Alstom AGV, Feb. 11, 2008
Alstom AGV launched: on track in France by 2014, Feb. 5, 2008
High Speed Rail: fast trains, slow projects, Jan. 25, 2008
High Speed Freight Rail: already a reality, Jan. 24, 2008
In brief: TGV vs. Air France, on Paris to Strasbourg, Jan. 25, 2008
High Speed Freight Rail: already a reality, Jan. 24, 2008
High Speed Rail: SNCF modify its fares, Jan. 23, 2008
High Speed Rail: News from Spain, Jan. 21, 2008
In brief: Alstom trains go full speed!, Jan. 16, 2008
HSR “breaking” news: Top secret? Not that much…, Jan. 10, 2008
High Speed Rail: Surfing the Internet at 320 kph, Jan. 8, 2008
Spain: first HSR network by 2015?, Dec. 26, 2007
SNCF: up to EUR 9 billion worth of HSR trains, Dec. 19, 2007
High Speed Rail: TGV commercial speed will top 360 kph, Dec. 17, 2007

Transport Information Group