The Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) rail line is officially set for a competitive shake-up.
On December 9, 2029, the management of this vital artery will transition to a new operator, marking the end of the traditional state-run monopoly model for this specific route.
This change moves the liberalization of the French rail network forward. While the SNCF will remain a contender through a dedicated subsidiary, it now faces the reality of a formal tender process. The government expects to finalize the selection of the winning operator within the next 12 to 18 months, ensuring a sufficient window for the operational transition.
The upcoming transition follows two distinct paths for market liberalization. The first is the “free market” approach, where operators with a rail license can request to run trains that directly compete with existing services, much like Trenitalia’s operations on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille corridor.
The second, and the one selected for the POLT line, is the “conventioned market.” Under this model, the state issues a call for tenders, granting the winning company the rights to operate the line—or a cluster of lines—for a set duration, which in this case is ten years.
Le Train, a private rail company, has already formally signaled its intent to challenge the incumbent. While the operator does not currently run active train services, it has been actively developing projects across the Atlantic coast region. During an interview with the radio station ICI, Alain Getraud, the CEO of Le Train, expressed confidence in his company’s ability to secure the contract.
Despite the prospect of a new operator, passengers should not expect an overnight revolution in physical infrastructure. The constraints remain clear: the winning company will be using the same tracks, the same train sets, and relying on the same pool of railway workers currently maintaining the line. The competition, therefore, rests on service quality and operational efficiency rather than a complete overhaul of the hardware.
Le Train has identified passenger information services as a primary area where they intend to outperform the current management.
During previous tenders for the Intercités lines connecting Lyon-Nantes and Lyon-Bordeaux, the SNCF found itself pitted against both Le Train and the historic Spanish operator Renfe. In those instances, the SNCF successfully defended its position, retaining the right to operate the routes.
The stakes for the Limousin region are particularly high.
With the winning operator set to manage the line for ten years, the state’s decision will determine the provider for rail travel between Paris and Toulouse following the 2029 opening to competition.
