CAF Strengthens Its European Footprint with Major Order for 22 Régiolis Trains in Southern France

Spanish rolling-stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) has secured a significant foothold in the French regional rail market with a contract worth approximately €250 million to deliver 22 new Régiolis regional trains for operations in southern France. The order, placed by SNCF Voyageurs on behalf of the regional transport authorities, represents a substantial investment in service quality, environmental performance, and long-term modernization of the passenger fleet. Coming at a time when European regions increasingly prioritize reliable, low-emission, and high-capacity transport, the contract underscores both CAF’s growing competitiveness and France’s ambitions for a greener, more connected mobility network. Although the Régiolis platform is typically associated with France’s domestic manufacturer Alstom, CAF has positioned itself as a strategic partner in augmenting and diversifying regional fleets, demonstrating its ability to produce tailor-made trains that complement existing rolling stock while meeting strict technical and regulatory standards.

The new trains will be used primarily on regional services in Occitanie, Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur (PACA), and potentially Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where passenger demand has grown steadily in the post-pandemic years. These lines serve a mix of commuters, regional travelers, and tourism flows — especially coastal destinations and economic hubs such as Montpellier, Marseille, and Toulouse. The 22 Régiolis units will be based on France’s Coradia Polyvalent platform, known for its modular design, low energy consumption, and strong performance on both electrified and non-electrified lines. CAF’s involvement includes not only the manufacturing of the trains but also integration of intelligent onboard systems, passenger comfort improvements, and enhanced accessibility features. The trains are expected to include multi-purpose spaces for bikes, luggage, and equipment, reflecting France’s transition toward a more multimodal, passenger-friendly rail network. With reinforced braking systems, upgraded digital diagnostics, and compatibility with European safety and signaling standards (including ERTMS), the fleet is engineered to support both present-day operations and upcoming infrastructure upgrades across the southern French corridor.

On a strategic level, this order significantly strengthens CAF’s reputation as a key supplier in Western Europe, particularly in France — one of the continent’s most competitive and technically demanding rolling-stock markets. CAF has been steadily building its presence through contracts for Paris RER rolling stock, trams in cities such as Nantes and Montpellier, and regional trains for Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The new Régiolis contract consolidates this trajectory, signaling confidence from French authorities in CAF’s industrial capacity and long-term reliability. For SNCF Voyageurs and the French regions, the investment aligns with national efforts to modernize regional transport while reducing emissions, improving punctuality, and expanding capacity to meet the government’s broader “New Rail Deal” objectives. With delivery scheduled for the coming years, the 22 trains will begin entering service progressively, providing a noticeable step up in comfort, frequency, and operational resilience for passengers across southern France. In a decade marked by climate goals, regional growth, and a European push for modal shift from road to rail, the partnership between CAF and SNCF stands as an emblem of the technological renewal transforming rail mobility across the continent.