Velvet to launch high-speed rail services in France by 2028

The railway company Velvet is preparing to enter the high-speed rail market in France starting in 2028. The company aims to compete with SNCF on routes connecting Paris to Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, and Angers.

Velvet President Rachel Picard stated that the company will not follow a low-cost business model. Instead, she emphasized a strategy of complementarity, seeking to address current capacity shortages. Picard noted that approximately 15% of French travelers seeking TGV services are currently unable to do so due to a lack of available seats.

To improve accessibility, Velvet plans to add up to 10 million additional seats per year on its served routes. The company believes that increasing capacity will naturally allow for more affordable pricing to remain available for longer periods and facilitate easier bookings closer to departure dates. The first Velvet trains were produced at the Alstom factory in La Rochelle in April.