Léman Express
The Léman Express[1][2] is a commuter rail network for the transborder agglomeration of Grand Genève[3] (Greater Geneva) in west Switzerland and the French Alps (Haute-Savoie).
An RABe 522 train in Léman Express livery at Genève-Eaux-Vives station on opening day | |||
Overview | |||
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Owner | CFF Infrastructure SNCF Réseau | ||
Locale | Switzerland: cantons of Geneva and Vaud France: départements of Haute-Savoie and Ain | ||
Transit type | Commuter rail | ||
Number of lines | 6 | ||
Number of stations | 45 | ||
Daily ridership | 50,000 | ||
Website | lemanexpress | ||
Operation | |||
Operator(s) | CFF SNCF | ||
Technical | |||
System length | 230 km (140 mi) | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
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At the heart of the Léman Express system is the CEVA rail project linking Eaux Vives station with Cornavin station in Geneva. This new line, largely underground, was opened on 15 December 2019. The Léman Express marked the start of direct services from Genève-Cornavin railway station to the French cities of Evian, Thonon, Annemasse and Annecy as well as the population of the Arve valley up to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. The system also includes the previous Rhône Express Régional service to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine for a total of six lines.
Prior to the opening CEVA, local rail in Geneva consisted of two short services: the Regio operating from Coppet to the main Genève-Cornavin railway station and (since 2002) on to Lancy-Pont-Rouge station (now L1-L4), and the Rhône Express Régional (abbreviated to 'RER') line from La Plaine (in Dardagny) to Genève-Cornavin station (now L5 and L6). The RER line used tram-trains derived from those on Lausanne métro's line M1, required as it was electrified using 1,500 Volts direct current, unlike the 15,000 Volts alternating current rest of the Swiss Federal Railway network. Local trains to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (in France) joined the network on 3 December 2001. The line was subsequently upgraded to the standard 25 kV AC electrification (as used on much of the French railways) in conjunction with the development of the Léman Express system.
It is hoped that the enlarged railway network will reduce traffic congestion in and around Geneva.
External links
References
- Journal de Bâle et Genève, 2015 and rts.ch
- https://www.sbb.ch/en/group/sbb-as-business-partner/federal-government-cantons/regional-traffic/western-switzerland/region-geneva/news/fvg.html
- http://www.grand-geneve.org/actualites/le-reseau-express-ferroviaire-franco-valdo-genevois-sappelle-leman-express-0