TER Provence Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (TER PACA) is the regional rail network serving the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. This network is operated by SNCF. The public transport authority, the Regional Council, runs 800 trains a day, especially near Avignon, Marseille, Toulon and Nice. 100,000 users take regional trains each day.
Network
The network is made up of 17 train lines. All bus lines are operated by private operators under the Regional Council Authority.
Unlike most other regions in France, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur separates their trains into two services: TER : suburban or local services, with only 2nd class wagons. These trains are operated with multiple units. Intervilles : regional InterCity trains (not to be confused with InterCités trains, a nationwide service), with 1st and 2nd class, except between Marseille, Gap and Briançon.
This separation is done due to the presence of big metropolises on the coast (Marseille, Toulon and Nice) and a very rural hinterland (French Alps). Toulon does not have suburban services, as these are absorbed into Marseille. The suburban trains from Marseille also continue onto Avignon, away.
Rail
The rail network as of May 2022:
Rail service not part of the TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur network: Nice CP – Digne-les-Bains, operated by the Chemins de Fer de Provence
Future
With the building of the new LN Provence-Côte d'Azur line between Marseille and Monaco expected by 2030, regional traffic may grow. This will be achieved through the introduction of a new high speed train calling every hour at Marseille Provence Airport, the construction of a new underground train station in downtown Marseille, a new high speed stop in Marseille's Eastern Districts, and the enlargement of Toulon, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Nice Ville train stations.