France has thousands of kilometres of disused railway tracks that modern trains cannot use. Renovating them for heavy trains proves too costly, leaving rural areas isolated and car-dependent. One engineering startup has found a way to bring these lines back to life.
SICEF, part of AKKA Technologies’ Flexmove consortium, has adapted hybrid vans to run on railway tracks. These vehicles, called Ferromobiles, combine road and rail travel, offering a flexible, low-carbon transport option for communities lacking public connections.
A new lease of life for France’s forgotten railways
SICEF says France has 5,700 kilometres of small railway lines currently out of service. Many rural towns remain without public transport options, forcing residents to rely on private cars. Ferromobiles aim to reverse this trend by using modified Peugeot e-Travellers fitted with a system that switches seamlessly between road and rail.
The vehicles will start trials this month on the Courpière-Vertolaye line in the Auvergne region, according to Railtech. If the trials succeed, regions such as Occitanie, Brittany, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine could also adopt the scheme, creating a new network of hybrid mobility.
Ferromobiles offer a low-carbon, flexible alternative
Each Ferromobile can carry up to eight passengers. The vehicles operate on a fixed schedule with minimal waiting times or can be booked on demand via a smartphone, mimicking the convenience of an Uber ride. Hubs along the railway lines allow passengers to board efficiently.
On rail, the vehicles run automatically, while drivers take control on roads. SICEF confirms that these lines will not be shared with traditional trains, ensuring safety. The startup positions Ferromobiles as a low-carbon solution that repurposes existing infrastructure and runs entirely on electric power.
Smart innovation praised by industry observers
Automobile Magazine described the project as “frugal yet high-impact.” The magazine highlighted the Peugeot Traveller adaptation as an example of intelligent reuse of infrastructure with reduced operating costs. Ferromobiles demonstrate how innovative thinking can combine sustainability, technology, and rural mobility in a single package.
