High-speed train, green light for third operator. Double-decker Tgv M on the way

A turning point for Italy's high-speed rail sector, which will see the incumbent operators Trenitalia (FS) and Italo joined by a third operator from next year: Sncf, the French state railways with its new double-decker Tgv M. The Italian Competition and Market Authority (Agcm), in a statement published on its website, informs that it has accepted and made binding the commitments presented by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (Rfi, a company of the FS group) within the framework of the procedure on obstacles to access to the rail transport market. This decision marks a decisive step for the high-speed rail market, as it promotes greater competition thanks to the entry of a third operator and opens up new opportunities to improve services, quality and competitiveness for the benefit of passengers. The investigation, which was launched in March 2025 to ascertain an alleged abuse of a dominant position under Article 102 TFEU (the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), concerned the way Rfi allocated capacity on the high-speed network, which was considered potentially capable of hindering access to the national rail infrastructure and, therefore, the entry of new operators into the high-speed passenger transport market. The commitments now approved introduce significant changes.

Firstly, Rfi will allocate to the new entrant a minimum package of 18 hourly channels (slots) on the high-speed routes (Turin/Milan/Rome - Turin/Milan/Venice), guaranteeing their stability for ten years. It is a measure that aims to make the new operator's entry into the market effective and sustainable. In addition, Rfi will intervene on the rules of the Network Statement, expressly adapting them to European principles relating to the best use of the infrastructure, the protection of passenger needs and the promotion of competition. Transitional rules will be immediately adopted to protect the 'new entrant' and future entrants, with priority in the allocation of available or underutilised capacity, so as to favour a gradual and concrete growth of the offer by these subjects.

The Authority considered that these measures are suitable for removing the critical competition issues that were hypothesised when the investigation was opened (March 2025), as they guarantee fair, transparent and non-discriminatory access conditions to the high-speed network and make the relevant market more open and competitive, to the benefit of users and the system as a whole.

Sncf Voyages Italia, through a note, welcomes the decision published by the Authority, which accepts the commitments provided by the operator Rfi to guarantee new operators fair access conditions to the Italia high-speed market. The implementation of the first part of these commitments, which consists in the immediate recognition of a share of the requested rail slots, is indispensable to allow the French railways to start the investment plan announced for Italia in order to develop a new high-speed offer in the country from September 2027.

With its project, Sncf will introduce 15 new-generation Av trains to the Italian market, capable of accommodating a greater number of travellers while offering maximum comfort, competitive prices and a sustainable travel experience, ensuring access to high-speed trains for more than 10 million passengers per year in Italia.