French rail company SNCF to get two new competitors from 2028

Two new rail companies are due to give more competition to French national railway company SNCF. With a bit of respite for the national operator. Both private companies are already forced to delay their launch to 2028 due to challenges with rolling stock procurement. The two companies are named Le Train and Velvet.

The first rival to SNCF, Le Train, aimed for its first journeys as early as 2026. It has been already forced to postpone its launch to 2027. But according to rail experts, the possible date of launch is now set between late 2027 and early 2028.

Le Train to concentrate on Western France

The positioning of Le Train is more original. Instead of competing on rail routes from and to Paris, Le Train wants to tackle high-speed connections in the west of France, from Brittany to the Southwest. These routes are indeed poorly served by SNCF. The train will consequently not be a direct competitor to SNCF, which is little or not present in these market segments with its TGVs.

The company has ordered ten new-generation Talgo Avril trains, similar to those that the Spanish Renfe wants to deploy on a potential prestigious Paris-Lyon-Marseille route.

Le Train has the ambition of offering up to 50 daily trains in Western France from the first year. And matches a demand of over 3 million travelers departing from Arcachon, Bordeaux, Angoulême, Nantes  and Rennes.

The company plans to be present in 11 cities, mainly in Loire regio and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions. Quick, direct connections would for example translate into a travel time of only 2h50 between Nantes and Bordeaux instead of almost 5 hours now as passengers need to change in Paris.

However, Le Train is now facing challenges with rolling stock procurement and the absence of a second-hand high-speed train market in continental Europe. Le Train CEO Alain Getraud revealed last May that its Talgo rolling stock is undergoing the approval process in France, with certification expected “in two and a half to three years.” Meanwhile, the company benefits from the support of the European Union as well as the region Nouvelle-Aquitaine. 

Velvet’s commitment to transparent pricing, enhanced comfort and sustainability

Former TGV head Rachel Picard is also steering with Velvet a new player into France’s high-speed rail market. The SNCF challenger has the clear ambition to reinvent high-speed rail travel, prioritizing both comfort and environmental commitment.

The choice of the name Velvet — revealed on July 1, 2025 — is no accident. It evokes softness, comfort, and a sense of premium but accessible travel. “We want to create an experience where passengers feel at ease, where every detail matters, while remaining committed to the environment,” told Rachel Picard, during a media presentation.

Velvet plans to launch its first high-speed trains by 2028, initially focusing on Western routes out of Paris (Angers, Bordeaux, Nantes and Rennes). The company promises to provide 10 million annual seats. 

The company also aims to stand out through high-quality onboard services, a clear and transparent pricing policy, and personalized customer support. “Opening the market to competition should benefit travelers, offering more choice and a better experience,” Picard emphasizes. The company will then be the first French-owned company to compete SNCF on its core routes.

SNCF already faces competition from Italian Trenitalia and Spanish Renfe. Both rail companies face difficulties to expand in France’s monopolistic vision of rail. And they both currently lose money…

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