Trenitalia France has announced an ambitious expansion strategy aimed at strengthening its position in France, the United Kingdom and key cross-border rail markets.
The plan follows a new agreement designed to “accelerate the growth” of the Italian operator’s French subsidiary and consolidate its footprint across Europe, according to a joint statement from the partners.
Trenitalia France, a passenger unit of Italy’s state-owned rail group Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), intends to significantly scale up its operations over the coming years.
Central to the strategy is the expansion of its rolling stock, with the fleet set to grow to at least 19 high-speed trains, up from current levels. The company also plans to open a dedicated maintenance facility outside Paris, a move expected to support operational reliability and long-term growth.
Service capacity on existing routes will be increased, particularly on the busy Paris–Lyon corridor, where daily services are set to rise from nine to 14. In a move that could reshape European rail competition, Trenitalia France confirmed plans to challenge Eurostar on the prestigious Paris–London route by 2029.
The group is preparing to invest €1 billion across its operations in France and the UK, underlining its long-term commitment to international expansion. FS is pushing ahead with these ambitions at a time when high-speed rail travel is gaining momentum across Europe, driven by environmental concerns and passenger demand.
Cross-border competition has intensified as open-access rules allow new operators to enter markets traditionally dominated by national rail companies. Eurostar, which connects the UK with France, Belgium and the Netherlands, has recently faced criticism after being named Europe’s worst-performing rail service in customer rankings.
By contrast, Italy’s Trenitalia has frequently topped European surveys for punctuality, service quality and customer satisfaction, strengthening its competitive credentials. Beyond London, Trenitalia is also evaluating a potential entry into the Paris–Brussels route, according to details shared during a presentation of FS’s strategic plan earlier this month.
The Italian operator has already been competing directly with French state-owned rail group SNCF for four years. It currently runs services linking Paris with Lyon, Marseille and Milan, although the company has acknowledged that these routes have yet to reach profitability.
Despite the financial challenges, Trenitalia France views the French market as strategically vital and expects rising passenger volumes to improve performance over time. The expansion is being supported by Certares, a global investment firm whose activities span travel and tourism, hospitality, and consumer services.
Trenitalia France plans to strengthen its ticket distribution and sales channels through partnerships with companies in Certares’s portfolio. These include major business and leisure travel agencies such as CWT, Ovation, Egencia, Havas Voyages and Selectour.
Management believes improved distribution will help attract both corporate and leisure travellers, particularly on high-frequency domestic routes. Over the next year, the company’s focus will be on consolidating its customer base in France and improving retention rates.
Boosting occupancy on its high-speed trains remains a key objective, as higher load factors are seen as essential to achieving profitability. Industry analysts say Trenitalia’s aggressive expansion could significantly alter the balance of power in Europe’s rail sector.
With new trains, increased frequencies and bold international ambitions, Trenitalia France is positioning itself as a long-term challenger to established players. As Europe’s high-speed rail market continues to open up, passengers may ultimately benefit from greater choice, improved services and more competitive pricing.