Brussels, 24/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The purpose of the loan agreed between Région Pays de la Loire and the European Investment Bank (EIB) is to modernise the regional rail network in order to be able to offer those living in the area a sustainable high-quality service that will meet their growing transport needs. The funding contract for €200 million was signed on Thursday 19 September.
This financing operation will help to improve the service throughout the regional rail network via the construction and modernisation of the lines and infrastructure, and the integration of urban and suburban public transport. It covers: the acquisition of rolling stock, including nine tram-trains to serve Nantes, Clisson and Châteaubriant; the extension of the Nantes-Blottereau and Nantes-Doulon maintenance workshops; work on upgrading the Nantes/Pornic/Saint Gilles Croix de Vie line; and the creation of 13 multimodal interchange nodes. Work will also be carried out on the region's 45 stations in order to improve access for persons with restricted mobility. (OL/transl.fl)