Trenitalia Boosts High-Speed Fleet with €2 Billion Hitachi Order
Lyon, August 9 – Trenitalia France, a subsidiary of the Italian public railway group FS, announced on Friday a substantial order for 19 new high-speed trains from Japanese manufacturer Hitachi. The deal, valued at approximately two billion euros, aims to significantly expand Trenitalia’s operations in France and introduce a new international route.
New Trains to Serve Key European Routes
The new trains are slated for deployment on the French market, primarily from Paris. Trenitalia currently operates high-speed links between Paris-Lyon, Paris-Marseille, and Paris-Milan. Crucially, the company also confirmed on Friday its intention to launch a Paris-London service by 2029, with these new trains forming a core part of that expansion.
According to Fabrice Toledano, Commercial Director at Trenitalia France, nine of the new trains will replace the existing fleet of nine high-speed trains currently leased from Trenitalia Italy. The remaining ten trains are specifically designated for the ambitious Paris-London connection. While a precise delivery date was not provided, Toledano indicated that the trains are expected to be operational by the end of 2029.
Competition Heats Up with SNCF’s TGV M
Technically, the new Hitachi trains will be single-deck, a contrast to SNCF’s forthcoming TGV M (TGV M built by Alstom), which will be double-deck and is set to launch on its main high-speed routes this autumn. Trenitalia France’s new fleet is designed for interoperability across major European high-speed networks, enhancing their operational flexibility.
The financing for these new Hitachi train sets is being secured with the assistance of the American fund Certares, which will, in return, acquire a stake in Trenitalia France. The principle of this partnership agreement with Certares was announced several months ago. Toledano clarified that Certares will not hold a majority stake, and the finalization of the partnership is still in progress.
Beyond capital access, Certares also offers Trenitalia a significant opportunity to boost ticket sales. The fund has substantial investments in the tourism sector, including major networks like Selectour and Havas, as well as in business travel, as highlighted by Toledano.
Strategic Expansion and Market Impact
This substantial investment by Trenitalia underscores its commitment to expanding its presence in the competitive European high-speed rail market. The introduction of new, modern trains and the planned Paris-London route are expected to intensify competition with established operators like SNCF, potentially offering more choices and improved services for passengers.
The strategic move to enhance the Lyon-Paris route, a critical economic corridor, and to open a direct high-speed link to London, signals Trenitalia’s ambition to become a major player in European rail travel. The timing aligns with increasing demand for sustainable and efficient travel options across the continent.
The expansion is also expected to have a positive impact on regional economies, particularly in cities like Lyon, which serve as key hubs for these high-speed connections. Increased train frequencies and enhanced passenger capacity could further stimulate tourism and business travel between these major European cities.
Further details regarding the specific routes, timetables, and service enhancements will likely be announced as the delivery and commissioning of the new trains approach in the coming years.
