Public transport in Paris and the Île-de-France region is constantly evolving. While the Grand Paris Express network is eagerly awaited by many Parisians, another major mobility project is making the headlines: the Eole project. Eole is the 55-kilometer extension of RER E to the west.
Currently, the RER E - put into service in 1999 - links Haussmann Saint-Lazare, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, with Chelles Gournay and Tournan in Seine-et-Marne. In the near future, however, the RER E is to be extended westwards to Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines department, via La Défense, Nanterre and Poissy. The aim? To offer passengers " an alternative to RER A, whose central section is saturated at peak times", explains Île-de-France Mobilités.
Due to the colossal construction site, the work has been delayed, tirelessly postponing the inauguration of the extension. But according to an announcement on the official RER E website, the new timetable for the extension of RER E to the west of the Île-de-France region is becoming clearer. If all goes according to plan, RER E users will be able to travel to Nanterre from Monday May 6, 2024. Three new stations will also open on the RER E this spring: Neuilly-Porte Maillot Palais des Congrès, La Défense Grande Arche and Nanterre-la-Folie, covering an additional 8km! Nanterre-la-Folie station will thus become the new terminus of the RER E, pending the final extension of the line to Mantes-la-Jolie announced for late 2026.
But beware, because this service launch, announced for May 6, 2024, will take place " progressively " , with " adapted timetables " and trains running every 15 minutes on average between 10:00 and 16:00 on weekdays, and between 10:00 and 20:00 at weekends and on public holidays. However, during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, additional trains are scheduled to run between Neuilly-Porte Maillot Palais des Congrès and Nanterre-la-Folie in the morning and then in the evening. This gradual introduction of service will enable us to test the new RER NG (new generation) trains, which can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h.
In addition, an interconnection is needed to reach one of the three new stations from the east of the line. This is possible either at Haussmann - Gare Saint-Lazare, or at Magenta - Gare du Nord. "Although the interconnection is possible at both stations, for a smoother journey we recommend that you make it at Magenta - Gare du Nord," the official RER E website states.
Then, once the 34 RER NG trains have been delivered at the end of the year, the transport offer can be extended, with 1 train every 4 minutes in peak hours and 1 train every 6 minutes in off-peak hours. "All RER E services will then be extended to Nanterre-la-Folie," reads the RER E website.
What about the final extension of the RER E to Mantes-la-Jolie? This is scheduled for late 2026, with the opening of new stations at Houilles-Carrière-sur-Seine, Poissy, Villennes-sur-Seine, Vernouillet-Verneuil, Les Clairières de Verneuil, Les Mureaux, Aubergenville-Elisabethville, Épône-Mézières, Mantes Station and Mantes-la-Jolie, the future terminus.
Dates and Opening Time
On May 6th, 2024
Official website
maligne-e-t4.transilien.com
