No more delays: the Mont Blanc Express opens and will be fully functional by the 14th of June 2014.
The French Raiway Network (Réseau Ferré de France), announced the grand re-opening of the train line between Saint Gervais and Argentière: the Mont Blanc Express will be fully functional starting with Saturday, 14 June 2014.
Mont-Blanc Express is a remarkable mountain train service that runs from the French station of St Gervais/Le Fayet, beginning with a steep climb up to the Chamonix valley, passing through Chamonix and Argentiere, then under the Col des Montets, through the Vallorcine Valley, before descending into the Rhone Valley, where it terminates at Martigny, Switzerland.
Since April 2012, the railway track & the Tunnel des Montets has undergone major refurbishment. From 29 June 2013 the Mont-Blanc Express resumed partial service of the line between Le Fayet (St. Gervais) and Argentiere. Between Chamonix and Montroc some parts have been completely changed, both rails and the underlying ballast. The work on the railway track & the Tunnel des Montets has a budget of 77 million euros. The ultimate objective was to increase the journey frequency to 2 trains per hour, a project that will be accomplished no sooner than 2015.
Initially planned for December 2013, and after several delays the line is to be opened on June 14th 2014.
While staying in the Chamonix Valley, the Mont Blanc Express is free with a Carte d'Hote (Guest Card). This card gives free access to the Chamonix Valley public transport network between Servoz and Vallorcine.
