FS Italiane Group, known through its brand Trenitalia, announces a plan to launch a new high-speed rail service connecting London and Paris by 2029. This was announced in a press release. 

With a planned investment of 1 billion euros, the new link is part of the objectives of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which places the extension of high-speed connections in Europe among the FS Group’s priorities.

In recent days, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the FS Group and Evolyn – a Spanish company, led by Cosmen family, with solid experience in the management and expansion of mobility projects – to further strengthen the European high-speed rail leadership project.

“This investment is a decisive step forward in FS Group’s vision of building a more integrated, competitive and sustainable European rail network, in line with the objectives of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which places an increasing focus on passenger transport abroad to accelerate FS Group’s international development”, stated Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, FS Group Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. 

“High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and by expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport. More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel”.

The aim is to increase rail competitiveness between London and Paris, and the new link will be served with train sets inspired by the Frecciarossa, Made in Italy top-of-the-range class, in terms of energy efficiency, comfort and service quality.

The announcement comes after confirmation from the United Kingdom‘s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on the possibility for access to the Temple Mills maintenance depot, allowing the entry of a new operator between London and Paris.

The consolidated presence of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane both in France, with Trenitalia France, and in the United Kingdom, with Trenitalia UK, offers an important competitive advantage to enter this strategic corridor. 

As such, the Group will be able to offer travellers a greater range of products, an increasingly high-quality service and simplified ticketing, taking advantage of an already well-known brand.

After obtaining the necessary licences and permits in France, FS Group is working with the main stakeholders to manage all regulatory and operational aspects. Technical assessments are currently under-way to ensure an optimal integration of the new high-speed services through the Eurotunnel and the railway networks of France and the UK. 

Moreover, operational planning of additional capacity at St. Pancras station is already at an advanced stage, while possible funding options are being evaluated.

The official service launch will be based according to infrastructure works completion and technical authorisations, and will mark the beginning of a new era of competition and accessibility in the European high-speed rail landscape.

FS Group in France and the UK

In France, FS Group has been the first alternative operator on the high-speed network since 2021, with the Frecciarossa Milan-Paris connection reactivated on 1 April 2025, after the landslide interruption in the Maurienne Valley, with the shuttle services between Paris and Lyon and, from 15 June 2025, with the Frecciarossa connection between Paris and Marseille.

With over three million passengers served and a 98% satisfaction rate, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane is committed to strengthening and expanding its existing corridors to further improve connectivity and service availability.

FS Group also has an established presence in the UK, where it has been present since 2017 with the acquisition of c2c, and is also a key partner of Avanti West Coast with a 30% stake in the joint venture with FirstGroup. Through the latter, it is actively working with government and institutions to develop and promote the HS2 project.

In addition to the London-Paris link, FS Group is studying further opportunities for expansion of high-speed rail in Europe. Evaluations are under-way for possible extensions of the London-Paris service via Lille, Ashford, Lyon, Marseilles and Milan.

Competition

Eurostar is facing competition. Virgin, SBB, Heuro and now FS with Evolyn. Which project will make it.

FS is also interested in running trains to Belgium and the Netherlands. But it’s the Eurotunnel which is grabbing attention lately.

Jon Worth of #CrossBorderProject puts Trenitalia with Evolyn at the front of the queue. “Trenitalia already has a large fleet of Hitachi Frecciarossa 1000 trains that have been running in France since 2021, and are equipped with the TVM-430 signalling system used on LGV Nord in France, the Channel Tunnel and HS1 in the UK. Hitachi is currently in the middle of delivering the latest tranche of 30 of these trains, and there is an option for 10 more. Evacuation and fire safety for the Channel Tunnel are likely to prove to be no major headache, as Italy already has among the strictest fire safety rules for its railways in Europe.”

Will Trenitalia offer Executive Class on these cross-channel trains? Perhaps the journey is too short.

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