Public transport in the Île-de-France region has just reached a new ridership record with 927 million passengers projected for 2025, according to the latest figures published by Île-de-France Mobilités. Behind this 4% increase in one year, a clear reality is emerging: Parisian mobility is once again becoming a strategic issue for tourism, business travel, and major international events.
But despite improving indicators, several lines remain under significant strain. And above all, the network is entering a phase of massive transformation with more than 1,000 projects planned from 2026 onwards.
Summary
Public transport in the Île-de-France region is returning to historical levels
According to Île-de-France Mobilités, ridership on the network continues to increase after several years marked by the health crisis and then the works related to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Passenger satisfaction is also improving. SNCF Voyageurs reached 79.9%, its best level since 2020, while RATP climbed to 88%.
However, the quality of service remains highly variable depending on the lines and operators.
Cleanliness remains a particularly sensitive issue. While the RATP has shown significant improvement, SNCF Voyageurs remains under scrutiny on certain lines, especially the RER B and D where passengers continue to report recurring problems.
According to the specialized press, expectations regarding human presence in stations and stations also remain very high in a context of rapid transformation of ticketing and usage.
Why transport in the Île-de-France region is becoming a major tourism issue
For French and international visitors, the Paris experience often begins as soon as they step off the train or leave the airport. The metro, RER, Transilien, and shuttle buses directly shape their perception of the destination.
In a context where Paris seeks to strengthen its international appeal after the Olympic Games, the quality of transport becomes a strategic lever on par with hotels or tourist reception.
Repeated delays, overcrowded lines or poorly coordinated works can quickly deteriorate the traveler experience, especially for business and event travel.
Conversely, a more reliable and better-modernized network can streamline tourist journeys, improve the image of the destination and enhance the attractiveness of major trade shows and congresses.
More than 10 billion euros invested in modernizing the network
Île-de-France Mobilités confirms the continuation of a vast modernization plan aimed at renewing the entire metro fleet by 2035.
Line 4, now fully automated, is achieving 100% performance according to published data. Lines 6, 8, and 9 are also showing significant improvements thanks to investments made in recent years.
But some lines continue to be the focus of difficulties.
Line 12 continues to be hampered by aging rolling stock and frequent intrusions onto the tracks. Line 13, historically overcrowded, is not expected to see structural improvements until the gradual introduction of the new MF19 trains and its planned automation by 2035.
The RER remains under pressure despite several improvements
On the rail network, the overall punctuality of Transilien lines reaches 91.3% in 2025, a slight increase.
The RER B continues its recovery trajectory, with a gain of 4 points since 2023, according to Île-de-France Mobilités. The RER E has also returned to a more stable level after the disruptions related to its extension to Nanterre-La Folie.
However, the RER C and D lines remain under particularly close surveillance.
On the RER D, despite the gradual arrival of the new trainsets, the results are still considered insufficient and several reliability improvement operations are still expected.
2026 will usher in a period of unprecedented work
According to data provided by IDFM, more than 1,000 construction projects are planned from 2026 onwards across the entire Ile-de-France network.
Among the most strategic projects are the extension of the RER E to Mantes-la-Jolie and the opening of the Roissy CDG Express, now expected for February 2027.
Aware of the potential disruptions, Île-de-France Mobilités says it wants to better coordinate the work in order to avoid the saturation situations observed in some years during the summer periods.
The organizational model implemented during the Olympic Games now serves as a reference for limiting the impact on travelers.
Why tourism professionals need to monitor these developments
Transport in the Île-de-France region is no longer just a matter of daily mobility. It is becoming a central element of the tourist and business experience in Paris.
For those involved in tourism, events and business travel, the quality of the network will directly influence the fluidity of travel, visitor satisfaction and the overall image of the Parisian destination in the coming years.
According to the specialist press, the investments made could profoundly transform the traveler experience by 2035. But success will depend on a delicate balance: modernizing the network quickly without further degrading the daily lives of users during the works.
Sources
- https://www.deplacementspros.com/transport/transports-franciliens-record-de-frequentation-et-grands-chantiers-a-venir
- https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/
- https://www.ratp.fr/
- https://www.sncf.com/fr
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