With the project, France wants to modernize and expand its rail network. The money must also come from state railway company SNCF, the European Union and local governments, according to Borne. Running more trains, shortening journeys and improving punctuality are the only ways to make rail an attractive and credible alternative to the car.
The French government wants to reintroduce some night trains for longer journeys and in January France and Germany announced a high-speed train connection between Paris and Berlin.
The share of the French train manufacturer Alstom rose by 4.1 percent on Friday after the announcement.
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