Italian rail group aims to launch high-speed links between European cities
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The train company owned by the government of Italy has set a goal to introduce fast train services between several major cities in Europe, capitalizing on the opening up of the region's rail network.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) desires to establish a rapid rail service that links Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and ultimately Berlin. Their objective is to make use of European Union regulations that oblige countries to facilitate competition on their high-speed rail systems.
Elaborate blueprints are currently in progress to connect Paris and Barcelona together.
According to Carlo Palasciano Villamagna, the head of international operations at FS, the company has expressed its desire to provide services across borders following the implementation of new measures promoting liberalisation in June 2019.
The regulations have cleared the path for rivalry among privately owned firms and government entities from nearby nations as railway corporations are permitted to operate trains on the transportation network throughout the area.
The objective of this action is to enlarge the market, enhancing the competitiveness of trains for relatively short flights. This is considered one of the most substantial alterations in the European railway sector in many years.
Eurostar, the train service that links the United Kingdom with Europe, could potentially face competition for the very first time. The company that owns National Express has engaged in discussions with Spanish industrialists regarding the possibility of establishing a new train service that would operate across the English Channel.
Trenitalia, the train operating division of FS, has already extended its reach to certain rapid train services in France and Spain, such as connecting Milan and Paris.
However, Villamagna expressed the company's desire to provide fresh offerings in different regions of Europe. He further mentioned that the route between Brussels and Amsterdam might hold potential appeal.
"The route is currently being considered by a single company due to their recent merger," Villamagna remarked about the situation.
The only company that offers services on the route is Eurostar Group, which merged with Thalys to become a unified company under the control of SNCF, the government-owned train operator of France.
"The Brussels to Amsterdam route is highly sought after," Villamagna expressed. "We are currently exploring opportunities to collaborate or participate in that region of Europe."
According to Villamagna, the investigation of the Brussels to Amsterdam market was being carried out simultaneously with the preparations for introducing a route from Paris to Barcelona.
"Have you considered expanding your travel adventures beyond Paris and heading towards the eastern side, like from Brussels to Amsterdam?" suggested Villamagna. He further mentioned the possibility of the company offering services to Berlin in the future.
According to Alberto Mazzola, the head of the Community of European Railways (a coalition primarily consisting of publicly-owned railways), he anticipates a surge in competition across various routes.
There have been grievances regarding the lack of progress in the rail reorganization, which Mazzola pinned on the COVID-19 pandemic occurring shortly after the implementation of liberalization.
"If we did not experience the impact of Covid, the level of competition witnessed today would have been even higher," Mazzola expressed.
However, he proposed that the absence of appropriate infrastructure for fast train services in Europe posed a significant issue.
Networks primarily prioritized connecting locations within a single nation, he stated, with minimal high-velocity rail routes linking adjacent regions.
The problem we face presently is the lack of infrastructure. Although there are numerous domestic networks available, there is a notable absence of international connectivity.
According to a recent study conducted by EY consultants, the establishment of a fully integrated high-speed network to connect the main areas and urban centers of Europe would require a hefty investment of €550 billion.
Villamagna stated that Trenitalia had intentions of providing a superior level of service compared to other companies in a market where operators face the challenge of standing out amidst fierce competition.
In the battle of train services between Barcelona and Madrid, Trenitalia's Iryo is not only up against AVE, the established service provided by Renfe, the government-owned company in Spain, but it also faces competition from Ouigo, a low-cost brand of SNCF, and Avlo, the budget brand of Renfe.
Villamagna asserted that Trenitalia's intentions to improve its level of service would enhance its compatibility with competitors.
This would, in effect, encourage passengers to opt for air travel instead of using services from other rail companies.
