On 1 December SNCF officially inaugurated two new stations on the Rhine-Rhône high speed line at Besançon Franche-Compté and Belfort Montbéliard, ahead of the launch of commercial services over the route on 11 December, set to link France’s north-east and south-east regions.

Gares & Connexions, the fifth and most recent of the SNCF business units, whose job is to renovate and develop the 3000 rail stations in the network and to implement station development projects and investment plans in collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders, has exploited the talent of its partners to improve the fundamentals of station service.

From the selection of materials to the refurbishment of internal and external spaces, furnishings, lighting and information, as well as access to and layout of other modes of transport and development sites, everything has been meticulously thought out to build welcoming, safe, comfortable stations that are closely connected with and lead directly to the town and surrounding localities.

Respect for the environment was also an aspect taken into consideration during the design phase. To highlight and reward this green initiative, a High Environmental Quality label has been awarded to the two stations, reflecting a commitment on the part of SNCF to adopt a long-term sustainable approach.

According to Sophie Boissard, Executive Director of Gares & Connexions, “environmental integration is not merely aesthetic but affects all the functions of these two sites: from energy production and management to services on offer in the station.”
In addition to these two new stations, SNCF has also undertaken major renovation work on nine existing stations in the three main regions that will be served by the Rhine-Rhône high speed line.

(Source: SNCF)