French national rail operator SNCF said Wednesday it planned to offer high-speed passenger services in neighbouring Italy from 2026, competing with rival Trenitalia on its home turf.
“Italy is a natural market for high speed, with 56 million passengers per year,” said Alain Krakovitch, head of intercity TGV (high-speed train) services at SNCF Voyageurs.
“But it’s a market that’s yet to mature, with many passengers still to bring in.”
SNCF plans eventually to offer nine daily return services between Turin, Milan, Rome and Naples, as well as four…