Trenitalia France, a subsidiary of the FS Italiane Group, has announced a significant investment of approximately €2 billion for 19 new high-speed trains from Hitachi Rail. The order is a central component of the company's ambitious growth strategy, which includes an expansion of services across France, enhanced connections between Paris and major European cities, and the launch of a new high-speed link between Paris and London by 2029.
The comprehensive investment package covers not only the construction of the new fleet but also long-term maintenance and technical support activities. The move is designed to bolster Trenitalia France's existing routes, such as Paris-Lyon, Paris-Milan, and Paris-Marseille, by improving service quality and increasing frequency, while simultaneously building the necessary fleet for future international ventures.
The new trains are engineered for operation across Europe's primary high-speed rail networks, underscoring their role in the FS Group's broader international development strategy. This initiative is also viewed as a crucial step towards completing the strategic partnership between the FS Group and Certares, a distribution partner.
Supporting this operational expansion, the development of a new maintenance facility located on the outskirts of Paris is reportedly progressing on schedule. This facility will be essential in providing the maintenance capacity required for the enlarged fleet and the introduction of new international connections.
The agreement with Hitachi Rail and the associated investments are projected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs across France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. These positions will encompass both direct employment and roles throughout the industrial supply chain.
Gianpiero Strisciuglio, CEO and General Manager of FS Italiane Group, commented on the strategic importance of the order. He stated, “This order represents a strategic step for FS Group: it strengthens our presence in France, a key market for international growth, and supports the development of increasingly efficient, sustainable and competitive high-speed services. The new trains and the new maintenance hub are also key elements for the launch of the Paris-London connection, a central project in the vision of the ‘Metropolitan Europe,’ the integrated high-speed network that will increasingly connect Europe’s main cities.”
Giuseppe Marino, Group Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Rail, also highlighted the collaboration. He remarked, “With this project, we are strengthening Hitachi Rail’s role as a technology partner for the new generation of high-speed rail services in Europe. The trains will be designed to ensure high standards of sustainability, operational efficiency and cross-border interoperability. The expansion of Trenitalia France’s services represents another step toward more integrated and sustainable European mobility.”
Passengers aboard the new fleet can expect enhanced comfort, innovation, and sustainability. The trains will offer next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity, capable of speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). The onboard experience will also feature a redesigned bistro concept, an improved food and beverage offering, and completely refreshed interiors across all service classes, aimed at providing a more comfortable travel experience.
In terms of environmental performance, the new trains are designed with a recyclability rate of up to 97.1%. They are also expected to deliver a significant reduction of approximately 120,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions per train compared with the previous generation of high-speed rolling stock.
In parallel with the train order, Trenitalia France has also finalised commercial partnership agreements with Certares’ distribution partners. These agreements are slated for progressive implementation over the coming months and are intended to broaden the company's distribution capabilities. This expansion aims to support growth in both business and leisure travel markets, further facilitating the development of future international connections.
