View source for Railcoop

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{update|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Railcoop
| logo =
| type = Private cooperative company with collective interest (SCIC)
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|30 November 2019}}
| location_city = [[Figeac]]
| location_country = [[France]]<ref>{{cite web |url = https://railmarket.com/eu/profile/railcoop |title = Railcoop SA |website = railmarket.com |access-date = 20 November 2022}}</ref>
| website = https://www.railcoop.fr/
}}
'''Railcoop''' is a French rail [[cooperative society]], headquartered in [[Cambes, Lot]]. It is one of the first private passenger service companies to be created in the aftermath of the liberalisation of [[Rail transport in France|rail transportation in France]] and the end of the [[monopoly]] on passenger transit for the national railway operator [[SNCF]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last = |first = |url = https://www.ft.com/content/e610fa06-c56c-11e8-bc21-54264d1c4647 |title = SNCF's Guillaume Pepy: keeping the public onside |publisher = [[Financial Times]] |date = 4 November 2018 |access-date = 5 November 2018 }}</ref> As the rail network remains state-owned by the public agency [[SNCF|SNCF Réseau]], Railcoop operates as an independent rail operator by purchasing slots for operating its services; its schedules are regularly communicated to the national [[Autorité de Régulation des Activités Ferroviaires|transport regulation authority]].
Railcoop was formally established during November 2019, at which point it set about recruiting members and raising funds with which to establish train operations; by February 2021, it had raised €1.3 million and had 5,500 shareholders, which included multiple local authorities. In September 2021, it was announced that Railcoop had received its rail operator license, and obtained confirmation of the necessary train paths for its initial operations. Two months later, the organisation launched its first train service, hauling freight three times per week between [[Figeac station|Figeac]] and [[Toulouse]]; this was increased to a daily service in January 2022.
From its founding, Railcoop's stated primary project is the reopening of a direct passenger service between [[Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station|Bordeaux]] and [[Lyon-Part-Dieu station|Lyon]], a service which SNCF had opted to discontinue in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last = |first = |url = https://www.radioclassique.fr/magazine/articles/railcoop-va-t-elle-faire-renaitre-la-ligne-de-train-lyon-bordeaux-abandonnee-par-la-sncf/ |title = Railcoop va-t-elle renaitre la ligne de train Lyon-Bordeaux abandonnée par la SNCF? |date = 24 June 2020 |access-date = |website = |language = fr}}</ref> It has obtained its own rolling stock and petitioned for suitable train paths to be allocated. At one point, the passenger service was set to commence in June 2022, however, it had to be postponed until December 2022.<ref name=":1" /> Railcoop had ambitions to launch several other passenger services in the future.
== History ==
During 2009, liberalisation reforms were implemented in France, resulting in the opening of the rail transport market for international services. Shortly thereafter, the Italian private company [[Trenitalia France|Thello]] announced plans to operate its own service between the cities of [[Paris Gare de Lyon|Paris]] and [[Venezia Santa Lucia railway station|Venice]].<ref name=":0" /> During 2020, the national [[flag carrier]] [[Air France]] was ordered by the French government to reduce its domestic flights that competed with rail travel in an effort to promote a shift in the travelling public towards the latter medium.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/air-france-ordered-to-curb-competiton-with-rail-in-france/ |title = Air France ordered to curb competition with rail in France |publisher = [[International Railway Journal]] |date = 1 May 2020 |first = David |last = Briginshaw}}</ref> French authorities were reportedly keen to welcome competition to its rail market, additional moves in this direction were implemented during the early 2020s.<ref name = "irj june2020"/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/passenger-liberalisation-stumbles-toward-2023-start/ |title = Passenger liberalisation stumbles toward 2023 start |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 15 December 2020 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref> Despite this, there has been criticism voiced that the French rail sector is unwelcoming to new entrants.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/slow-progress-french-market-entry-still-difficult-for-private-operators/ |title = Slow progress: French market entry still difficult for private operators |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 13 June 2022 |first = Robert |last = Preston}}</ref>
Operating in the context of a very weak use of the railways within France's low-populated areas and the dominance of high speed trains on major trunk routes,<ref>{{Cite web |last = |first = |title = State of the rail transport in France in 2018 |url = https://www.autorite-transports.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/plaquette_bilan_ferroviaire_2018-1.pdf |date = |access-date = |website = ART |language = fr}}</ref> Railcoop aims to re-develop medium-size rail connections. During the early 2010s, Railcoop was initially structured as a [[non-profit|not-for-profit]] or voluntary association; it became a "cooperative society aiming at a collective interest" (SCIC), the first such entity, in November 2019.<ref name = "irj june2020"/> By this point, the organisation had gained the backing of a wide range of investors, including €500,000 from the regional government of [[Grand Est]], to support its ambitions.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/co-operative-model-underpins-railcoops-long-term-plans/60190.article |title = Co-operative model underpins Railcoop's long term plans |website = [[Railway Gazette International]] |date = 28 October 2021 |access-date = 29 October 2021 |language = en}}</ref> Reportedly, Railcoop was required to have a minimum [[share capital]] of €1.5 million as well as recruit 3,000 members in order to obtaining a railway operating license.<ref name = "irj june2020">{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/news/french-cooperative-targets-bordeaux-lyon-open-access-from-2022/ |title = French cooperative targets Bordeaux - Lyon open-access from 2022 |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 12 June 2020 |first = Kevin |last = Smith}}</ref> By February 2021, the organisation had reportedly raised €1.3 million and had 5,500 shareholders, including multiple local authorities.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021">{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/main-line/frances-railcoop-closes-in-on-train-operating-licence/ |title = France's Railcoop closes in on train operating licence |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 18 February 2021 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref>
On 9 June 2020, Railcoop confirmed its intentions with France's Regulatory Transport Authority (ART), which investigated whether the planned service conflicted with any existing public service.<ref name = "irj june2020"/> The same year, the recruitment of 100 staff members commenced.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> In September 2021, it was announced that Railcoop had received its rail operator license, a necessary step towards operating its own train services.<ref name=":1"/> That same month, French authorities confirmed the necessary train paths for such services to be run;<ref name = "irj june2020"/> furthermore, the organisation was closing in on obtaining its safety certificate, which would enable services to commence shortly thereafter.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url = https://www.lesechos.fr/pme-regions/occitanie/fret-railcoop-va-tester-des-convois-de-petits-volumes-a-la-demande-1358428 |title = Fret : Railcoop va tester des convois de petits volumes à la demande |website = Les Echos |date = 26 October 2021 |access-date = 29 October 2021 |language = fr}}</ref> In October 2023 it was placed in [[receivership]].<ref>[https://www.railjournal.com/financial/railcoop-enters-receivership/ Railcoop enters receivership] ''[[International Railway Journal]]'' 23 October 2023</ref>
== Services ==
On 15 November 2021, Railcoop launched a freight haulage service between [[Figeac station|Figeac]] and [[Toulouse]], traversing [[Brive-la-Gaillarde–Toulouse (via Capdenac) railway|the {{Convert|180|km|abbr=on}} freight line]] from [[Decazeville]], via [[Capdenac station|Capdenac]] to [[Saint-Jory station|Saint-Jory]].<ref name=":1" /> Hauling mainly agricultural and industrial products, the rolling stock comprised a pair of locomotives provided by [[DB Cargo]] while 24 wagons were leased from [[Ermewa]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railtarget.eu/freight/railcoops-successful-launch-of-the-first-train-in-cooperation-with-ermewa-and-db-1177.html |title = Railcoop´s successful launch of the first train in cooperation with Ermewa and DB |publisher = railtarget.eu |date = 17 November 2021 }}</ref> Initially being operated three times per week, the frequency was increased to daily in January 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/freight/frances-railcoop-launches-freight-service/ |title = France's Railcoop launches freight service |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 18 November 2021 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref> This service is operated on an on-demand basis.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> The company has reportedly held talks with as many as 30 different companies to discuss options for fulfilling their freight needs by its rail services.<ref name = "irj june2020"/>
The main project of the company is the Bordeaux-Lyon direct link, which was withdrawn by SNCF in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/bordeaux-limoges-lyon-en-train-voyage-dans-les-coulisses-du-projet-railcop-1990048.html |title = Bordeaux - Limoges - Lyon en train : voyage dans les coulisses du projet Railcoop |website = France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine |date = 3 October 2021 |access-date = 29 October 2021 |language = fr-FR}}</ref> The service is intended to run three times per day, one of which would be an overnight train.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> These are to call at destinations such as [[Périgueux]], [[Limoges]], [[Guéret]], [[Montluçon]], and [[Roanne]], has a projected journey time of six hours and 47 minutes, as well as a forecast demand of 690,000 passengers that would use the service each year.<ref name = "irj june2020"/> The launch date was at one point expected to occur in June 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last = |first = |url = https://www.autorite-transports.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/lyon_bordeaux-aurillac-sflo-2020_003.pdf |title = Railcoop time schedules Bordeaux-Lyon |website = ART |archive-url = |archive-date = |date = |access-date = }}</ref> but has been postponed to December amid allegations that SNCF was unable to allocate suitable train paths for the service to be run.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/main-line/frances-railcoop-postpones-launch-of-passenger-service-by-six-months/ |title = France's Railcoop postpones launch of passenger service by six months |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 11 October 2021 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref><ref name = "ambitions irjjune2022"/>
Initially efforts by the organisation to acquire its own [[rolling stock]] were centred around [[locomotive]]-hauled rakes of coaches with which it intended to operate the service.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> Instead, by mid 2022, Railcoop had purchased nine [[SNCF Class X 72500]]s and commenced an internal refurbishment of each unit.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = New Operator Railcoop Delays Passenger Launch |magazine = [[Modern Railways]] |issue = 886 |date = July 2022 |page = 98}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/railcoop-moves-ahead-with-fleet-refurbishment/ |title = Railcoop moves ahead with fleet refurbishment |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 23 May 2022 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref> In the long term, the organisation had stated its preference for obtaining [[Régiolis|Coradia Liner]] bi-mode multiple units, the same class used by SNCF on non-electrified intercity routes.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> Passengers are to be provisioned with various onboard services and comfort enhancement features; the trains have been configured with [[catering]] facilities, large luggage storage areas (suitable for skis and surfboards), and a dedicated children's play area.<ref name = "irj june2020"/> Furthermore, their engines and transmissions were overhauled with the aim of improving their reliability.<ref name = "ambitions irjjune2022">{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/railcoop-retains-passenger-ambitions/ |title = Railcoop retains passenger ambitions |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 16 June 2022 |first = David |last = Haydock}}</ref>
Railcoop has ambitions to operate additional routes within France. The company has publicly stated its expectation to reinvest over half of any profits generated into the business' development.<ref name = "closingin irjfeb2021"/> During 2023, the company hopes to operate services between [[Toulouse]] and [[Rennes]],<ref>{{Cite web |last = |first = |url = https://www.autorite-transports.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/toulouse_rennes-sflo-2020_005.pdf |title = Railcoop time schedules |archive-url = |archive-date = |date = |access-date = 5 November 2020 |website = ART}}</ref> as well as [[Lyon]] and [[Thionville]].<ref>{{Cite web |last = |first = |date = |title = Railcoop time schedule Lyon-Thionville |url = https://www.autorite-transports.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/lyon_thionville-sflo-2020_004.pdf |archive-url = |archive-date = |access-date = |website = ART}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[European Sleeper]]
[[Category:Cooperatives in France]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 2019]]
[[Category:Railway companies of France]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in France]]