Italy's state-owned railway, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group), has placed a €2 billion (£1.7 billion) order with Hitachi Rail for 19 high-speed trains, moving closer to launching a rival London to Paris service by 2029. The deal, announced on August 7, also includes an €80 million (£68 million) maintenance facility at Maisons-Alfort Pompadour near Paris.
New Trains to Challenge Eurostar's Monopoly
For 30 years, Eurostar has been the only direct rail link between London and Paris, carrying over 12 million passengers annually from St Pancras to Gare du Nord. FS Group, through its subsidiary Trenitalia France, is now poised to become the first competitor on this route, beating Virgin Trains, which plans its own service by 2030.
The new trains promise 'next-generation' travel with an on-board bistro, enhanced catering, WiFi connectivity, and interiors designed for comfort across all classes. This investment signals FS Group's commitment to expanding its high-speed network in Europe.
Strategic Milestone for FS Group
Gianpiero Strisciuglio, CEO of FS Italiane Group, called the order a 'strategic milestone' that strengthens the company's presence in France, a key market for international growth. He added: 'This order represents a strategic milestone for FS Group: it strengthens our presence in France, a key market for our international growth, and supports the development of increasingly efficient, sustainable and competitive high-speed services.'
The trains will also be used on Trenitalia France's existing routes, including Paris-Lyon, Paris-Milano, and Paris-Marseille, maximizing their utility across the network.
Hitachi Rail's Role
Giuseppe Marino, Hitachi Rail's group CEO, said the deal will 'deliver high standards of sustainability, operational efficiency and cross-border interoperability, which are increasingly essential to support the growth of international rail traffic.' The maintenance facility near Paris will support the fleet's upkeep.
Rail Renaissance Continues
2026 has seen a surge in new train launches across Europe and the UK. Notably, a budget service dubbed the 'Ryanair of trains' offers Londoners trips to Scotland for £50, and a famous sleeper train has introduced a new route. Additionally, Eurostar has added a service from London St. Pancras to Antwerp, Belgium, expanding travel options.
FS Group's entry into the London-Paris market is expected to increase competition, potentially lowering fares and improving service quality for the 12 million annual passengers on this popular route.
