A new player in the railway scene, Le Train didn’t initially plan to compete in the arena of national high-speed. Its original ambition was different: to connect the western metropolises from Bordeaux to Rennes, including Nantes, without detours through Paris, using fast and frequent trains.
However, the trajectory has evolved. The company founded by Alain Gétraud now targets two of the most strategic routes in the network: Paris–Bordeaux and Paris–Rennes. This rise has been confirmed by agreements signed with SNCF Réseau to secure paths on these highly sought-after lines.
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In focus: the most frequented routes, and therefore the most profitable. This choice is far from trivial, as it stretches the relationship with SNCF Voyageurs, which denounces a competition focused on lucrative lines at the expense of the rest of the territory.
A three-way battle on the most profitable lines
On the Paris–Rennes route, Le Train would be competing with the widely established offers of TGV Inoui and Ouigo. But it's mainly on Paris–Bordeaux that the battle is set to be explosive.
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Car face to SNCF, another competitor is already fine-tuning its plans: Velvet, which aims for a launch around 2028. With a significant fundraising and trains currently being manufactured by Alstom, it seems to have a head start for now.
In this still very locked landscape, new entrants can be counted on one hand. Only Trenitalia and Renfe have managed to establish themselves, through subsidiaries of large groups. The arrival of Le Train and Velvet could thus mark a real turning point for high-speed rail in France.
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A worrying competition already
But this opening up to competition is not universally accepted. A report commissioned by the SNCF group’s CSE from the Groupe3E Consultants warns about several negative effects. According to this study, competition could lead to an increase in ticket prices, linked to inflation and financial constraints. It also highlights a risk of territorial imbalance: operators might focus on profitable lines, without improving overall service.
Another key point: the possible end of the equalization system, which currently allows SNCF Voyageurs to fund less profitable lines from the more profitable ones. Without this mechanism, the balance of the network could be jeopardized. The report points out...
There is also a fragmentation of the rail service, particularly in the TER, with potential impacts on costs, quality of service, and working conditions.See this post on Instagram
Strong ambitions... but still many unknowns
However, Le Train still needs to fulfill its ambitions. The issue of the trains is far from resolved: the company is considering trains from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo, but their approval in France could take several years. R result: a launch before 2027-2028 seems uncertain, with some even mentioning 2030. Moreover, the profitability of Paris-Bordeaux remains a challenge, with some of the highest tolls on the network.
To stand out, Le Train is promising a different experience: enhanced Wi-Fi, revamped onboard services, and attractive prices. The company is also working on its own maintenance center, a sign of its ambition to establish itself sustainably. But between promises of innovation and growing criticism, one thing is certain: the battle for French rail is just beginning.