FS Italiane Group has announced plans to launch a new train service to link Paris and London by 2029.
The company operates c2c and co-owns Avanti West Coast with First Group and will use Frecciarossa inspired triansets to offer superb comfort and energy efficiency.
Their project has gained momentum recently following an ORR report saying there is capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills Depot in the UK.
FS Italiane has permits already in place in France, where they have operated since 2021, but is also planning on additional capacity at London St Pancras.
Commenting on the news, Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, FS Group Chief Executive Officer and General Manager stated: “ “This investment is a decisive step forward in FS Group’s vision of building a more integrated, competitive and sustainable European rail network, in line with the objectives of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which places an increasing focus on passenger transport abroad to accelerate FS Group’s international development”.
“High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and by expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport. More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel”.
Responses
That’s a novel idea running trains from London to Paris, if they had linked HS2 to HS1 then Avanti could link the WCML (and ECML) to Europe.
Before the channel tunnel opened I was driving around Manchester around 17.00 on a Friday and a eurostar went over a bridge in front of me on the Styal loop