Léman Express
The Léman Express is a commuter rail network for the transborder agglomeration of Grand Genève in west Switzerland and the French Alps.
At the heart of the Léman Express system is the CEVA rail project linking Eaux Vives station with Cornavin station in Geneva. This new line, largely underground, was opened on 15 December 2019. The Léman Express marked the start of direct services from Genève-Cornavin railway station to the French cities of Evian, Thonon, Annemasse and Annecy as well as the population of the Arve valley up to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. The system also includes the previous Rhône Express Régional service to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine for a total of six lines.
Prior to the opening CEVA, local rail in Geneva consisted of two short services: the Regio operating from Coppet to the main Genève-Cornavin railway station and on to Lancy-Pont-Rouge station, and the Rhône Express Régional line from La Plaine to Genève-Cornavin station. The RER line used tram-trains derived from those on Lausanne métro's line M1, required as it was electrified using 1,500 Volts direct current, unlike the 15,000 Volts alternating current rest of the Swiss Federal Railway network. Local trains to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine joined the network on 3 December 2001. The line was subsequently upgraded to the standard 25 kV AC electrification in conjunction with the development of the Léman Express system.
It is hoped that the enlarged railway network will reduce traffic congestion in and around Geneva.
