Some key TGV Lyria dates
1993
- Cooperation agreement between SNCF and CFF on TGV routes between Paris<>Lausanne and Paris<>Neuchâtel/Bern with creation of an economic interest group (GIE TGV France Suisse) responsible for the commercial management of these services.
1995
- Introduction of a service to Brig (calling at Montreux, Aigle, Martigny, Sion, Siders and Visp) during winter 1995/1996. This marks the first TGV Lyria des Neiges service.
1996
- Introduction of a daily service to Zurich.
1999
- Creation of Rail France Suisse SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée – simplified joint stock company) which takes over the activities of GIE TGV France Suisse.
2002
- Creation of SAS Lyria to replace Rail France Suisse.
- Introduction of a route to Siders and Brig: the TGV Lyria d'Eté summer service (from 14 June to 30 September: two Paris<>Brig return services and one Paris<>Siders return service).
2005
- Further cooperation between SNCF and CFF with the integration of TGV Paris<>Geneva services into TGV Lyria's scope of activity (up to seven return services per day).
2006
- Creation of a TGV Lyria logo to take advantage of TGV brand awareness while also developing a specific identity.
2007
- Further cooperation between SNCF and CFF: Lyria assumes management of services between Paris<>Basel/Zurich (via Strasbourg).
- Opening of the TGV East European line running new POS (Paris-Ostfrankreich-Süddeutschland) trains.
- Launch of the TGV Lyria service to the Graubünden region – a weekly service between Paris and Chur (via Basel and Zurich) operating every Saturday during the winter season until 29 March 2008.
2008
- Creation of a new TGV Lyria visual identity giving greater prominence to the TGV Lyria name.
2009
- Paris<>Lausanne journey times reduced by around 15 minutes.
2010
- With the launch of the Haut-Bugey line, the journey time between Paris and Geneva takes 3 hours 5 minutes (fastest journey time). With the addition of two services, there are now up to nine daily return services.
- Launch of the Lyriapremière service on the Paris<>Geneva, Paris/Dijon<>Vallorbe/Lausanne and Paris/Dijon<>Neuchâtel/Bern services.
2011
- Strengthening of the SNCF/CFF partnership: signature of a new 12-year agreement.
- July will see the launch of the twin train manager system: a French and a Swiss train manager will share duties for the whole journey on the Paris<>Geneva and Paris<>Lausanne/Bern services.
- From December
- All TGV Lyria services will leave from Paris Gare de Lyon and will run on the South-East line.
- TGV Lyria services will call at Basel and Zurich using the new high-speed line between Genlis (to the south of Dijon) and Belfort (Rhine-Rhône line), with six daily round trips. This will reduce journey times between Paris<>Basel/Zurich by 33 minutes: the journey time between Paris and Basel will take approximately 3 hours, and approximately 4 hours between Paris and Zurich.
- Launch of the Lyriapremière service and twin train managers on the new Paris<>Basel/Zurich line.
