Velvet secures French operating license for high-speed rail

Private railway company Velvet has obtained its operating license from the French Ministry of Transport, marking a significant step toward challenging the state-owned SNCF on high-speed routes. Founded by former SNCF executive Rachel Picard and Tim Jackson, the independent company aims to introduce competition on several major lines in western France.

Velvet plans to launch services around 2028, targeting connections between Paris and Angers, Nantes, Rennes, and Bordeaux. The company intends to add more than 10 million seats per year across these routes.

While the operating license confirms that Velvet meets the necessary legal and financial requirements, the company must still secure a Unique Safety Certificate (CSU) to begin commercial operations. This certificate will verify the company’s ability to manage safety risks and operational procedures. With the license in hand, Velvet can now proceed with preparing its teams and requesting specific time slots, known as ‘sillons’, from the infrastructure manager, SNCF Réseau.