“First journey to Nanterre-la-Folie”, exclaims Yoan, the phone pointed towards the rails of a brand new 8 km long tunnel between Hausmann-Saint-Lazare, in Paris, and Porte Maillot, in Neuilly (92). This train enthusiast came on purpose from Andernos-les-Bains (33) to experience the first moments of the RER E extended to Nanterre.
A unique journey that amazes this young restaurant employee. “It’s great,” he rejoices at the sight of the first train in history at Magenta, not far from the Gare du Nord. “I remind you, the RER E line has become the fastest line in Paris with a speed of up to 120 km/h,” announces the driver. After seven years of titanic work, the “Éole” project, delayed for almost two years after countless difficulties, finally sees its first train heading west.
Gaëlle, her arms full of gifts, was “taken by surprise”. This resident of Montfermeil (93) did not know that the RER E, which she has been taking for 10 years, was now continuing its path to Hauts-de-Seine. “I thought this train was a mistake, I even had trouble finding it.” “So, I’m pleasantly surprised because it’s going very quickly.” “It’s a great discovery,” adds Richard, a resident of Bondy who came expressly to witness this inaugural journey.
The first travelers were also able to get off at three new stations: Porte Maillot, La Défense-Grande-Arche and Nanterre-la-Folie. “We are impressed with all these materials that we are not necessarily used to seeing in stations,” notes Suzanne, who works in La Défense.
The only regret is the trains which still run little and only during off-peak hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the rate of one train every quarter of an hour. On weekends, the service extends until 8 p.m. The first 14 RER “NG” trains delivered by Alstom are still too few for the extension to be ensured all day. “For the moment the schedules are not necessarily suitable,” notes Séverine, living in the 18th century and employed at La Défense.
Next stage of the project: bringing the RER E to Mantes-la-Jolie, with delivery planned for the end of 2026. SNCF and Île-de-France Mobilités then anticipate 650,000 daily travelers on the RER E, compared to 370,000 currently. Enough, in part, to relieve congestion in the central sections of the saturated RER A and B.
