2nd December 2025 – New figures published by France’s South Region (Région Sud) show that its first competitively tendered regional Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract in the country that was won by an independent operator is already delivering impressive results:

Early data now shows that on the Marseille–Toulon–Nice corridor, passenger numbers have risen by 48%, while the average ticket price has fallen by 18% in the first five months of the new contract compared to the previous operator.

This new PSO contract, operated by Transdev, replaced the former direct award to the historic incumbent with competitively tendering – clearly showing how effective regional rail can be when services are opened up to competition.

Région Sud also demonstrates that having a “guiding mind” is entirely compatible with – and in fact strengthened by – competition:

⇒ As the devolved transport authority, the Region sets the timetable, service levels, fares and rolling stock strategy, but instead of automatically handing the contract to the incumbent operator, it tenders the PSO and selects the best offer for passengers and taxpayers.

ALLRAIL’s President Elmer van Buuren says: “Région Sud shows how regional rail should work: a strong public guiding mind setting clear objectives, combined with open, competitive tendering to find the best operator. You don’t need one single operator to plan the network – you need smart contracts and competition for the market.”

ALLRAIL calls on all French Regions – and other countries – to follow Région Sud’s example, so that regional rail delivers more trains, better service and lower fares.