first Paris-Lyon for the railway company Trenitalia

Historic whistle, Saturday 18 December: the first Trenitalia high-speed train has run on the French rail network. After a stop in Lyon (Rhône), it continued on to Milan, Italy. Departing from Paris at 6:34 am, the train nicknamed “The red arrow” attracts passengers, curious to discover the competitor of the SNCF. On board, three classes: a standard class, with tickets from 23 euros for a Paris-Lyon, a business class, silent, for 29 euros and with drinks included. “It’s nice to be greeted with a real coffee”, rejoices a passenger.

More chic and more expensive, the “executive” class offers, for 139 euros, a meeting room and large leather armchairs. “For the moment we have a commercial offer based on two Paris-Milan round trips, but within a few months we will strengthen our commercial offer, with three additional round trips”, says Roberto Rinaudo, CEO of Trenitalia. The company comes to compete with the SNCF on its most profitable line, and the most frequented.