The RER is Paris's suburban rail system. The network has 257 stations along 5 lines and 365 miles of track. Within Paris itself, the RER trains connect to the Metro at several points, and the same fare media is accepted both on the RER and Metro, but the RER makes fewer stops, effectively functioning as an express train compared to the Metro, which operates the "local" trains. RER trains are powered by overhead catenary and run using a "left-handed operation", like the SNCF trains throughout the rest of France, whereas the Metro uses third rail power and operates "right-handed."