Luxembourg and France are making significant investments to improve cross-border mobility, with each country committing €230 million to enhance rail services between the two nations.
Luxembourg’s strong economy and high salaries attracts cross-border workers, particularly from France. Currently, 125,000 French commuters work in the Grand Duchy. However, their daily journeys are often fraught with challenges, as overcrowded trains and congested roads highlight the strain on Luxembourg’s infrastructure.
The TER rail line connecting France and Luxembourg transports 12,000 passengers daily, a number that continues to grow. In order to improve the conditions, the two countries have signed Franco-Luxembourg memorandums of understanding in 2018 and 2021, outlining a €460 million investment plan funded equally by both nations.
By 2030, the number of train seats during peak hours will increase by 2.5 times. The plan aims to boost the current 9,000 daily seats (available during the three-hour morning and evening rush periods) to 13,500 by the end of 2026, and further to 22,500 by 2030.
The existing service of five to six trains per peak hour between Thionville and Luxembourg City–four of which extend to Metz–will remain in place. However, the introduction of longer trains, each with a capacity of 1,000 seats, will increase TER capacity by 50% starting in 2026. To accommodate these larger trains, platforms at seven French stations–Hettange-Grande, Uckange, Hagondange, Walygator, Maizières-lès-Metz, Woippy, and Metz-Nord–were extended at a total cost of €16 million, half of which was covered by Luxembourg. Additionally, a new TER maintenance centre was constructed in Montigny-lès-Metz.
Under the Franco-Luxembourg agreement, up to ten trains per hour will run in each direction by 2030, including one TGV and one freight train.
To further support public transport use, both countries are expanding park-and-ride facilities near key transit hubs. A 650-space car park near Longwy station opened in September 2024, while a 629-space facility in Thionville is set to open in the first half of 2025.
A new bus service between Forbach and Luxembourg City launched on 6 January 2025. Route 57R600 operates from Forbach bus station to Howald, offering two round trips Monday through Friday.
The Longwy-Luxembourg City connection has also been improved. Since December 2024, Longwy has seen two additional round trips, providing commuters with more flexibility. Travelers can now depart for Luxembourg as early as 5.50am and return from Luxembourg to Longwy as late as 7.34pm.
Additionally, two round trips previously terminating in Rodange have been extended to Luxembourg City.
Efforts to widen the A3 motorway south of Luxembourg City toward France began three years ago. The project aims to expand the road from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. While initial plans anticipated partial completion by the end of 2024 – specifically between Croix de Gasperich and Aire de Berchem – delays have pushed back the timeline.
However, according to information obtained by RTL, the first section of the widened motorway is expected to open by next March. On the French side, progress will take longer, as the widening of the A31 motorway is not scheduled to begin until 2030.
