Le Train news
Privately owned open-access start-up Le Train was established in February 2020 by industrialist Tony Bonifaci with the aim of becoming the first private high speed operator in France. In 2021 it applied to regulator ART for powers to run Arcachon – Bordeaux – Angoulême – Poitiers – La Rochelle regional high speed services using LGV Sud-Europe Atlantique, with some services extending to Nantes and Rennes, and it received its operating licence on December 24 2022. It has selected Talgo to supply Avril S106 high speed trainsets for its planned services.
Interview: ‘No limit’ on the potential of French high speed market
While its planned high speed services linking Bordeaux with Rennes and Nantes are still in gestation, French new entrant Le Train believes it can establish itself as the largest private operator in an increasingly crowded domestic market. CEO Alain Getraud and Deputy Chief Executive Catherine Pihan-Le Bars explain their vision to Nick Kingsley.
Open access start-up Le Train raises funding
FRANCE: Aspiring open access operator Le Train has raised a further €8m to support its plans to launch passenger services from Bordeaux to Angoulême, Poitiers, Tours, Nantes and Rennes.
Le Train selects 330 km/h Talgo trainsets for French open access services
FRANCE: Le Train Managing Director Alain Gétraud tells Railway Gazette International about the open access start-up’s plans to acquire a fleet of 330 km/h Talgo Avril S106 high speed trains customised to its requirements.
French open access passenger service postponed
FRANCE: Three factors have led Le Train to postpone the launch of its planned open access high speed services in southwest France from mid-2023 until early 2024.
Le Train eyes Arcachon – La Rochelle TGVs
FRANCE: Taking advantage of the forthcoming liberalisation of domestic passenger services, open access operator Le Train has applied to transport regulation authority ART for powers to run regional high speed services in the southwest.