French and Spanish Operators Set to Shake Up Italian Rail Travel
For commuters traveling between Turin and major Italian cities like Milan, Rome, and Naples, significant changes are on the horizon. Increased competition in the Italian railway system, driven by the entry of French and Spanish operators, promises to reshape travel options with potentially lower prices and improved services.
French High-Speed Rail: Ouigo’s Entry
The Italian Competition and Market Guarantor Authority has approved commitments from Italian Railway Network (RFI) to facilitate the entry of new operators. This decision paves the way for Sncf Voyageurs, through its subsidiary Sncf Voyages Italia, to introduce its high-speed service to Italy. The investigation by the Antitrust Authority concluded with a green light for commitments presented by RFI to guarantee fairer access conditions to the network.
Sncf’s initial plan involves securing 18 train paths per hour, allowing for the operation of fifteen new high-speed trains and up to thirteen daily connections between Turin, Milan, Rome, Naples, and Venice. The company aims to transport over ten million passengers annually, focusing on competitive pricing, increased capacity, and high comfort standards.
Negotiations and Future Guarantees
However, the French company is seeking further assurances to ensure the investment’s viability. These include access to a sufficient number of railway slots, availability of maintenance facilities within Italy, and streamlined approval processes for new trains. Without these conditions, SNCF believes the industrial plan may not reach the necessary scale for launch.
The Ouigo Effect: A Low-Cost Revolution
If these conditions are met, French trains could commence operating in Italy as early as September 2027. The service, branded as Ouigo, will feature double-decker trains – a first for the Italian network – and operate along key routes including Turin-Milan-Rome-Naples and Turin-Milan-Venice. Ouigo is positioned as a low-cost travel option, potentially disrupting the existing high-speed market dominated by Trenitalia and Italo.
The entry of a third international competitor is expected to intensify competitive pressure, potentially leading to lower fares, increased frequency of services, and improvements in overall quality.
Spanish Expansion: Renfe Focuses on Regional Lines
The competition extends beyond high-speed rail. Spanish operator Renfe has invested in the Italian company Arenaways, adopting a different strategy. Rather than immediately targeting high-speed routes, Renfe will concentrate on regional and secondary lines. This approach is exemplified by the reactivation of the Savigliano–Saluzzo–Cuneo railway line in 2025, operated by Arenaways after years of inactivity. The goal is to establish an alternative network connecting the North-West with major national routes.
A More European Railway System
The emerging landscape points towards a more integrated European railway system. While the French are challenging Frecciarossa and Italo on high-speed routes, the Spanish are focusing on regional services and secondary lines. The next two years will be crucial. If SNCF’s conditions are met and the new operators’ projects succeed, 2027 could mark a turning point for Italian rail transport, offering commuters more choices, better connections, and potentially more reliable journeys.