FS Italiane has announced a €2 billion investment to purchase 19 new high-speed trains from Hitachi Rail, strengthening its international growth strategy in France and confirming plans to launch Paris–London high-speed services in 2029.
The trains will be operated by Trenitalia France, part of FS International, and will support the company’s expanding network across France while preparing for new cross-border services between France and the United Kingdom.
Fleet Expansion Supports European Growth
The investment covers the construction of the new train fleet as well as long-term maintenance and technical support.
The additional trains will allow Trenitalia France to increase capacity and frequencies on existing routes, including Paris–Lyon, Paris–Milan, and Paris–Marseille, while forming the fleet for the future Paris–London service.
Designed to operate across Europe’s major high-speed rail networks, the trains are expected to play a key role in FS Italiane’s international expansion strategy and its strategic partnership with investment firm Certares.
Paris Maintenance Facility Under Development
Alongside the fleet investment, FS Italiane confirmed that construction of its new maintenance depot at Maisons-Alfort Pompadour, near Paris, is progressing as planned.
The facility will provide the maintenance capacity required to support the enlarged fleet and future international operations, including services between Paris and London.
Gianpiero Strisciuglio, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of FS Italiane, described the investment as a major milestone for the group.
“This order represents a strategic step for FS Italiane. It strengthens our presence in France, one of our key international markets, while supporting the development of increasingly efficient, sustainable and competitive high-speed services.”
“The new trains and the maintenance hub at Maisons-Alfort Pompadour are fundamental elements for launching the Paris–London connection, a central project in our vision of a ‘Metro of Europe’ linking the continent’s major cities through an integrated high-speed rail network.”
New Trains Focus on Passenger Comfort
The new fleet will feature redesigned interiors, an upgraded onboard dining concept and enhanced catering services.
Passengers will also benefit from next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity of up to 10 Gbps, while improvements across all travel classes are intended to deliver a more comfortable onboard experience.
Sustainability and Job Creation
FS Italiane says the new trains will be built with sustainability in mind, achieving a 97.1% recyclability rate and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per train compared with the previous generation.
The project, including train manufacturing, maintenance operations and supporting infrastructure, is expected to create around 2,000 jobs across France, Italy and the United Kingdom, both directly and throughout the wider supply chain.
The company also confirmed that Trenitalia France has completed new commercial distribution agreements with Certares’ travel partners, which will be introduced progressively over the coming months to support both business and leisure travel while expanding international rail services.
