Alstom's TGV-M secures marketing authorisation ahead of passenger service

Alstom's new TGV-M high-speed train has secured marketing authorisation from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), marking a key step before its commercial operation begins. The authorisation confirms the train's compliance with all safety and interoperability requirements.

The approval follows extensive type-approval testing that commenced in 2023. Deliveries of the trainsets are scheduled to begin in early summer, with a ramp-up of operations expected in the second half of the year. The first two trainsets are due for delivery in June, with six expected by the end of August and thirteen by the end of 2026.

Prior to welcoming passengers, the TGV-M will undergo several weeks of real-world testing and fine-tuning on the French railway network. This phase involves hundreds of staff from Alstom and SNCF Voyageurs to ensure every aspect of the on-board experience is optimised and operational teams are fully familiarised with the new rolling stock.

The TGV-M, which will operate under the TGV INOUI brand, is slated to welcome its first passengers in early September, coinciding with the start of the new school year. This pre-commercial running period will allow for the integration of the initial TGV INOUI trainsets into the operational schedule.