Nice-Ventimiglia night train: new deal to keep trains running during rail upgrades

The Principality of Monaco and the Région Sud have successfully negotiated a new plan for the upcoming rail works on the Nice-Ventimiglia line, ensuring that disruptions to train services will be minimised while essential infrastructure upgrades are carried out. 

The revised plan was agreed upon during a high-level meeting on Friday 20th September, attended by Monaco’s Minister of Infrastructure Céline Caron-Dagioni, Région Sud Vice-President Jean-Pierre Serrus, and representatives from SNCF.

According to a statement by the Monaco government, the revised schedule, which covers works from 15th September 2024 to 26th June 2025, introduces several key changes aimed at accommodating both daily commuters and major event-goers. 

Train services, initially set to stop at 9pm, will now run until 10pm. Additionally, on nights when significant sporting events take place, such as Champions League matches with late start times, the works will be postponed to avoid service disruptions. In order to accommodate these changes, morning works will be extended, although without affecting the regular morning transport schedule.

This agreement follows earlier efforts by Monaco and the Région Sud to contest the original SNCF proposals. Both parties had voiced concerns over the potential impact on travellers, especially those commuting regularly between Nice and Ventimiglia. Previous meetings held on 13th and 16th September had already succeeded in delaying the start of the works and in ensuring that key matches, such as AS Monaco’s recent game against FC Barcelona on 19th September, were not affected by evening rail closures.

The Principality of Monaco and the Région Sud have both expressed satisfaction with the revised schedule, which they believe reflects the needs of travellers as well as the authorities in Monaco.

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Photo: Government Communication Department