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A New Era Is Approaching for French Rail Passengers
For decades, France’s famous high-speed rail network has been closely associated with one powerful name: SNCF. The sight of a TGV racing across the French countryside has become part of the country’s technological identity, connecting Paris with major cities at extraordinary speeds and transforming the way millions of people travel.
Now, however, a new chapter may be beginning.
A French start-up called Velvet has taken an important first step toward entering one of Europe’s most competitive and strategically important transport markets. The company has received initial approval to operate high-speed rail services linking Paris with major destinations including Bordeaux, Nantes and Angers.
If Velvet successfully completes the remaining regulatory and safety requirements, its trains could begin carrying passengers from 2028.
The development could represent far more than the arrival of another railway company. It could signal a deeper transformation in France’s passenger rail industry, introducing new competition, expanding capacity and potentially giving travelers more choices on some of the country’s busiest routes.
For passengers who have long depended primarily on SNCF, the possibility of another major domestic high-speed operator could change the experience of traveling across France.
Summary: Velvet Wants to Bring Millions of New Seats to France’s Rail Network
Velvet, founded by former SNCF executive Rachel Picard, has secured an initial licence from the French transport ministry as part of its plan to launch high-speed rail services.
The company intends to operate routes connecting Paris with destinations along France’s Atlantic corridor, including Bordeaux, Nantes and Angers.
According to Velvet, its long-term objective is to add approximately 10 million seats to the French rail market. The company expects many of its direct journeys to average around two hours, making the service attractive to travelers seeking an alternative to cars and domestic flights.
The approval is an important milestone, but Velvet is not yet ready to launch passenger services. Before trains can begin operating commercially, the company must still obtain safety certification from France’s rail regulator.
Velvet has reportedly secured €1 billion in financing from a French investment fund. A significant part of that investment is expected to support the purchase of 12 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains from Alstom, the same generation of trains also being introduced by SNCF.
The company plans to begin operations in 2028, entering a market that has technically been open to competition since 2020 but remains overwhelmingly dominated by SNCF.
France’s Rail Market Is Finally Becoming More Competitive
Competition Arrived on Paper in 2020, but the Market Is Still Dominated by SNCF
France opened its passenger rail market to greater competition in 2020 as part of broader European Union efforts to liberalize railway services.
The principle behind liberalization was relatively simple: allowing more companies to operate trains could create competition, encourage innovation and provide passengers with more options.
However, opening a market legally and entering that market successfully are two very different things.
High-speed rail requires enormous investment, access to infrastructure, specialized equipment, trained personnel, safety certification and years of operational preparation. SNCF already possesses decades of experience and operates one of the largest and most recognizable high-speed rail systems in Europe.
That means any new competitor faces a difficult challenge.
Velvet is therefore not simply launching a new transportation company. It is attempting to build a serious operational alternative inside a market dominated by an established national giant.
Velvet’s Paris-to-Atlantic Strategy
The Company Is Targeting Some of France’s Most Important Routes
Velvet’s proposed network focuses on routes connecting Paris with cities along the Atlantic side of France.
Bordeaux is one of the country’s most important destinations and has a strong business, tourism and cultural connection with Paris. Nantes and Angers are also major economic and population centers with significant rail demand.
These are not experimental routes with limited passenger numbers.
They are established travel corridors where millions of passengers already move between major cities every year.
That makes the strategy both ambitious and logical.
A new railway company entering low-demand routes might struggle to attract enough passengers. By targeting busy corridors, Velvet is positioning itself where strong demand already exists.
The challenge, of course, is that SNCF already has a powerful presence on these routes.
Velvet will therefore need to convince passengers that its service offers something different.
That difference could come through pricing, schedules, comfort, customer service or additional seat availability.
Ten Million Additional Seats Could Change the Market
More Capacity Could Become One of Velvet’s Strongest Weapons
Velvet says it wants to add around 10 million seats between Paris and destinations along France’s Atlantic coast.
This figure is significant because rail competition is not only about lowering ticket prices.
Capacity matters.
On popular travel days, major rail routes can become heavily booked. Holiday periods, weekends and major events can create intense demand, leaving passengers with fewer options or more expensive tickets.
Adding another operator could potentially increase the number of available seats.
More seats could give travelers additional flexibility.
More departures could reduce dependence on a single operator.
And competition could create pressure across the wider market to improve services.
Even passengers who never board a Velvet train could potentially benefit if competition encourages better offers elsewhere.
That is one of the most important effects of transport liberalization.
The arrival of a competitor can influence the entire market, not only the customers who directly use the new service.
The Safety Certification Challenge Still Stands in Velvet’s Way
Initial Government Approval Is Important, but It Is Not the Final Destination
Velvet’s licence represents an important step forward, but the company still faces a major regulatory process.
Before carrying passengers, Velvet must secure the necessary safety certification from France’s rail regulator.
High-speed rail is one of the most heavily regulated forms of transportation in the world.
A railway operator must demonstrate that its trains, staff, maintenance procedures and operational systems meet strict safety requirements.
This includes much more than purchasing modern trains.
The company must establish systems for training drivers, maintaining equipment, responding to emergencies and coordinating with railway infrastructure managers.
Every major operational process must be tested and approved.
For Velvet, the next phase will therefore be crucial.
The company has successfully entered the regulatory process, but its ability to meet safety and operational requirements will determine whether its 2028 launch target becomes reality.
Rachel Picard Brings Experience From Inside SNCF
A Former SNCF Executive Is Now Preparing to Challenge Her Former Industry
One of Velvet’s most interesting strengths is the experience of its leadership.
Rachel Picard, Velvet’s president, previously worked as a senior executive at SNCF.
That background could prove valuable.
Building a new railway operator requires an understanding of an extremely complex industry involving infrastructure, regulation, rolling stock, scheduling and passenger operations.
Someone who has spent years working inside the French rail sector understands many of those challenges firsthand.
Picard described the new licence as an important step toward preparing Velvet’s trains, staff and operations.
Her experience may also help Velvet understand where opportunities exist in the market.
The company is not entering French rail blindly.
It is being led by people with direct knowledge of the industry it intends to compete in.
€1 Billion Gives Velvet Serious Financial Ambition
High-Speed Rail Is Not a Cheap Industry
Launching a high-speed railway operator requires extraordinary amounts of capital.
Trains alone can cost hundreds of millions of euros. Beyond that, companies must invest in maintenance facilities, staffing, technology, insurance, regulatory compliance and operational infrastructure.
Velvet has reportedly raised €1 billion from a French investment fund.
That level of financing demonstrates that the project is being developed as a serious long-term operation rather than a small experimental service.
A significant portion of the investment will reportedly go toward acquiring 12 Avelia Horizon trains from Alstom.
This is particularly important because modern high-speed trains are designed to improve efficiency, capacity and passenger comfort.
The choice of the Avelia Horizon platform also creates an interesting situation.
Velvet and SNCF could eventually operate trains based on the same generation of high-speed technology while competing directly for passengers.
That means the competitive battle may not simply be about train technology.
It could instead focus heavily on pricing, scheduling and customer experience.
Alstom’s Avelia Horizon Could Become Central to Velvet’s Future
Modern Rolling Stock Gives the Start-Up a Powerful Foundation
The Avelia Horizon is part of Alstom’s next generation of high-speed train technology.
For Velvet, purchasing new trains rather than relying on older equipment could offer several advantages.
Modern trains can provide improved energy efficiency.
They can offer more advanced onboard systems.
They can potentially reduce long-term maintenance challenges.
And they can help a new operator establish a modern brand identity from its first day of commercial operations.
Passengers increasingly expect more than simply arriving quickly.
They care about reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, luggage space, accessibility and digital ticketing.
A new company has the opportunity to design its customer experience around modern expectations from the beginning.
Velvet does not have to rebuild decades of legacy systems.
That could become an important advantage.
Velvet Is Not the Only Company Challenging SNCF
France’s Rail Liberalization Is Attracting Several Competitors
Velvet is part of a wider transformation taking place across European rail.
Several companies are now exploring or operating competitive services in markets that were historically dominated by national railway operators.
Among the companies seeking opportunities in France are Le Train, the French start-up focused on new rail services, Spain’s Renfe, and Italy’s Trenitalia.
The arrival of foreign operators is particularly significant.
European rail is gradually moving toward a model where national borders matter less to railway competition.
An Italian operator can compete in France.
A Spanish operator can explore opportunities beyond Spain.
And new domestic companies can challenge long-established national operators.
This could eventually create a more integrated European passenger rail market.
For travelers, that could mean more choices and potentially better connections between major European cities.
The Paris-to-London Market Could Become Another Major Battlefield
Trenitalia’s Ambitions Show How Intense European Rail Competition Is Becoming
Competition is not limited to domestic French routes.
Italy’s Trenitalia has also expressed ambitions involving international rail competition, including services that could challenge Eurostar on the strategically important Paris-to-London corridor.
The route between Paris and London is one of Europe’s most recognizable international rail connections.
Any serious competitor entering that market would face enormous technical, regulatory and operational challenges.
But the broader message is clear.
Europe’s rail industry is changing.
The era when national railway operators controlled most major routes without significant competition is gradually becoming less certain.
Velvet’s arrival is part of that larger transformation.
Could Competition Make French Train Tickets Cheaper?
Lower Prices Are Possible, but They Are Not Guaranteed
One of the biggest questions for passengers is simple: will Velvet make high-speed rail cheaper?
Competition often creates pressure on prices.
If two companies are trying to attract passengers on the same route, both have stronger incentives to offer attractive fares.
However, high-speed rail economics are complicated.
Railway operators face high infrastructure charges, expensive trains and significant operating costs.
That means competition does not automatically result in dramatically cheaper tickets.
Instead, passengers may see more targeted discounts.
Companies could compete through promotional fares.
They could offer loyalty programs.
They might introduce different ticket classes.
Or they could provide more flexible booking options.
The greatest benefit may ultimately be choice.
A traveler could compare departure times, prices and onboard services between different operators.
That alone would represent a major change for routes traditionally dominated by a single company.
The Biggest Challenge May Be Winning Passenger Trust
A New Brand Must Convince Travelers to Change Their Habits
SNCF is not simply another competitor.
It is one of the most established transport brands in France.
Millions of passengers already know how to book SNCF tickets, use its services and navigate its network.
Velvet will need to convince travelers to try something unfamiliar.
That requires trust.
Passengers will want to know whether trains are reliable.
They will care about delays.
They will compare prices.
They will judge customer service.
A single successful launch could help build momentum.
But early operational problems could damage the reputation of a new company quickly.
The first months of service may therefore be extremely important.
Velvet will not only be launching trains.
It will be launching a brand.
The 2028 Launch Could Become a Defining Moment
Velvet Still Has Years of Preparation Ahead
Although the company is targeting a 2028 launch, several years of work remain.
The company must complete its safety certification.
It must receive and prepare its trains.
Staff must be recruited and trained.
Operational systems must be tested.
Maintenance arrangements must be established.
And the company must prepare its commercial strategy.
The period between regulatory approval and the first passenger journey can determine the future of an entire transportation project.
If Velvet executes its strategy successfully, 2028 could mark the beginning of a new competitive era for French high-speed rail.
If delays or regulatory problems emerge, the launch could move further into the future.
The project is promising, but success is not guaranteed.
What Undercode Say:
Velvet Is Not Just Launching Trains, It Is Testing Whether France Is Ready for Real Rail Competition
Velvet’s first regulatory approval is an important signal that the French high-speed rail market is entering a more competitive phase.
The company’s strategy targets routes where passenger demand is already proven and where competition could have the greatest commercial impact.
The Paris-Bordeaux corridor is especially important because it represents one of France’s major high-speed connections.
Nantes and Angers also provide strong strategic opportunities because they connect important population and economic centers.
Velvet is taking a high-risk approach by challenging SNCF directly rather than beginning with smaller routes.
However, targeting busy routes also gives the company access to a much larger potential customer base.
The reported €1 billion financing gives the project credibility.
Without significant capital, competing in high-speed rail would be nearly impossible.
The decision to purchase 12 modern Avelia Horizon trains shows that Velvet is building its operation around long-term infrastructure.
Using new trains could help the company compete through efficiency and passenger experience.
However, owning modern trains does not automatically create a successful railway operator.
The real challenge will be operational execution.
Velvet must establish a safety culture capable of meeting France’s strict rail requirements.
It must recruit experienced drivers and technical personnel.
It must create maintenance systems capable of supporting a modern fleet.
It must negotiate access to infrastructure and operational capacity.
It must also build a recognizable brand.
SNCF already has decades of public recognition and an enormous operational ecosystem.
Velvet will have to create customer trust much faster.
One interesting advantage is Rachel Picard’s experience inside SNCF.
Her understanding of the French railway industry could help Velvet avoid some of the mistakes commonly made by new market entrants.
At the same time, SNCF knows the market better than almost anyone.
This will not be an easy battle.
Competition could eventually force all operators to improve.
SNCF may respond with more attractive pricing.
It could improve schedules and passenger services.
It could increase promotional offers.
That means Velvet’s existence could influence the market even before it captures a major share of passengers.
The greatest long-term impact may be psychological.
Passengers could begin viewing high-speed rail as a competitive marketplace rather than a service controlled primarily by one dominant operator.
That change could encourage additional investment.
It could attract more international companies.
It could accelerate innovation.
The biggest question is whether the market can support multiple profitable high-speed operators.
France has strong passenger demand, but high-speed rail infrastructure is expensive.
Too much competition without sufficient demand could create financial pressure.
Too little competition could preserve high prices and limited consumer choice.
The ideal outcome would be sustainable competition.
Velvet therefore represents an important experiment for the future of French transportation.
Its success could inspire similar challengers.
Its failure could demonstrate how difficult it remains to compete against established national operators.
The next two years will be critical.
The safety certification process will reveal whether Velvet can transform financial ambition into operational reality.
By 2028, French passengers may discover that the familiar departure boards have a new name.
And if Velvet succeeds, SNCF’s era of near-total dominance on major high-speed routes could face its strongest domestic challenge in decades.
Deep Analysis
Rail Competition Will Depend on Infrastructure Access, Capacity and Operational Reliability
The technical side of launching a railway company is far more complicated than purchasing trains.
Velvet will need access to rail paths, station capacity and maintenance infrastructure.
It will also need advanced operational monitoring systems.
Rail operators depend heavily on predictive maintenance to identify potential problems before they affect services.
A simplified Linux-based infrastructure monitoring workflow could include commands such as:
systemctl status railway-monitor.service journalctl -u railway-monitor.service --since "24 hours ago" df -h top ss -tulpn grep -i "error" /var/log/railway/operations.log tail -f /var/log/railway/operations.log
These types of commands demonstrate the importance of continuous monitoring in complex transportation environments.
Modern rail operations depend on networks, software platforms and real-time communication systems.
A disruption in operational technology can affect schedules.
A failure in infrastructure monitoring can create cascading delays.
Cybersecurity also becomes increasingly important as railway systems become more digital.
A modern high-speed operator must therefore protect passenger data, ticketing platforms, operational networks and internal systems.
For Velvet, technology could become both an advantage and a risk.
A new company can build modern infrastructure without inheriting decades of legacy technology.
But a highly digital environment also requires strong security controls.
The most successful new railway operators will likely be those that combine physical transportation expertise with modern digital resilience.
The Core Details Require Regulatory and Corporate Verification
✅ Velvet’s reported initial approval represents an important regulatory milestone, but it does not mean commercial passenger operations have already begun.
✅ The company’s planned entry into high-speed rail competition is consistent with France’s broader passenger rail market liberalization and the arrival of new competitors.
❌ A 2028 launch should not be treated as guaranteed until Velvet completes safety certification, operational preparations and all remaining regulatory requirements.
Prediction
France Could See Its Most Significant Domestic High-Speed Rail Competition in Decades
(+1) Velvet is likely to increase competitive pressure on major French rail routes if it successfully launches in 2028.
Passengers could gain more departure choices and additional seating capacity.
SNCF may face stronger pressure to improve pricing, promotions and customer experience.
Other European rail operators may become more aggressive in expanding into France.
Regulatory delays, infrastructure limitations or operational challenges could postpone Velvet’s commercial launch.
The enormous cost of operating high-speed rail means long-term financial sustainability will remain one of Velvet’s biggest challenges.
Tighten the repetitive middle sections
Clarify Velvet’s approval status
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