The first of 19 new Bombardier EMUs destined for Paris’ P Line has begun service in the French capital.
The arrival of the new Bombardier Spacium commuter train, or Francilien, was celebrated by representatives from the Île-de-France regional council, transport authority STIF, SNCF and RFF.
The Z50000 series will gradually replace the P Line’s RIB and RIO locomotives, which began service in the 1970s and 80s, and the BB 17000 locomotives that were put into service between 1965 and 1968.
Two new trains will arrive every month on the line until January 2015.
The new trains will gradually be deployed on the Paris-Meaux then on the Paris-Coulommiers from the second half of 2013.
The arrival of Francilien line P is part of a bigger renovation programme in the Ile-de-France region.
In 2006, STIF and SNCF ordered 172 new trains, totalling 1.85 billion euros, from Bombardier, with an option for 200 more vehicles.
To date, 86 Francilien trains have delivered by the manufacturer.
