“We overcame the difficulties and we have a very good train”: the new SNCF TGV made its first commercial journey between Paris and Marseille

The first new generation TGV arrived in Marseille a little before 1 p.m. The “TGV Inoui Nouvelle Génération”, the official name used by the SNCF, left the Gare de Lyon in Paris on Friday November 6 in the presence of the group's CEO Jean Castex and representatives of Alstom, the train's manufacturer. This new TGV has finally made its maiden voyage, it arrived right on time, unlike its entry into service which was two and a half years late.

It was initially hoped to be back on track in the summer of 2024 for the Paris Olympics. But this is no longer the time for regret for Martin Sion, the general director of Alstom: "The more technologies there are, the more innovations there are on board and the more risks there are of slippages. This is what happened on this project, as in many others. What matters to me today is that collectively we have overcome these difficulties, we are on very good track," he says happily.

Alstom and SNCF claim 400 patents filed, proof of the number of innovations. On board, the seats are more comfortable, even in second class. They are supposed to better adapt to each person's body shape with their height-adjustable headrests and more space for the knees, with around 15 cm. Jean Castex, praises a train designed for travelers. “We are very comfortable in the TGV, but I hope that we will be even better seated with more pleasant lighting, with more robust air conditioning and heating systems, with larger convivial spaces and with larger places to put down your luggage,” says the CEO of the SNCF.

It's hard not to mention the new bar car, renamed Bistro, which extends over two levels. Downstairs, a space with a refrigerated display case to buy lentil salads, poached eggs or sandwiches, a coffee machine and microwaves to heat up a dish. Upstairs, it will be a bar atmosphere with colorful tables and armchairs, with the famous TGV designer lamps on them. But difficult to access on this maiden voyage, given the crowds with at least half an hour in line.

For the moment, the new generation TGV will only make one round trip per day between Paris and Marseille. It will make a second from the end of November and a dozen at the start of 2027. It will then push to Nice, at the rate of deliveries of trainsets by Alstom, then towards the Alps. But the timetable still remains a little uncertain. Also uncertain is the success of the skits performed by different actors throughout the journey to praise this new generation TGV, which seems to have left many passengers a little doubtful.