During the National Council's review of the 2024 second amending budget on October 10, discussions on improving train services took center stage. The planned construction on the Nice-Ventimiglia railway line, which necessitates a suspension of night trains for ten months until June 2025, prompted commendation for the princely government and the Sud Paca Region. Their successful negotiations with SNCF adjusted the construction start to 22:00 from 21:00, halted work during football match nights, and arranged bus replacements for affected train services.
In the same session, the need for additional rolling stock was addressed with a 3.5 million euro budget amendment earmarked for Monaco's investment in two new TER trains. Céline Caron-Dagioni, Government Counsellor-Minister of Equipment, Environment, and Urban Planning, explained this payment as an initial deposit for the trains, stressing the urgency due to the discontinuation of the current model by the supplier. This deposit represents 10 percent of the total anticipated cost, estimated to fall between 35 and 42 million euros.
The council also tackled financial concerns regarding the train acquisition. National Councillor Nathalie Amoratti-Blanc voiced apprehensions about potential disproportionate expenses borne by Monaco in comparison to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Caron-Dagioni reassured the council, stating that Monaco would secure the same purchase terms as its neighbor, pending a final quote. She highlighted the strategic importance of the early order, noting that without proactive measures, Monaco could face significant delays, with new train deliveries projected only by the end of 2027.
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