On the Marseille-Paris line, a successful start for Trenitalia

On the piano installed in Saint-Charles station, a man plays the melody of “Bella Ciao”, Tuesday July 29 in Marseille. The Italian revolutionary song takes on another dimension, because it is here, on June 15, that the Compagnie Transalpine Trenitalia came to compete with the SNCF by launching its TGV Marseille-Paris, with tickets sold from 27 euros.

A month and a half later, this first in France seems to be meeting the expected success. “”In terms of price, it is cheaper than an ouigonotes Sébastien, a Parisian executive traveling to Marseille. The train is more comfortable. But the first time I took it, there was 20 minutes behind the outward journey.“

A counterattack of the SNCF?

In fact, Trenitalia is not always cheaper than Ouigo, which offers the journey from 19 euros. According to an internal note revealed by The Parisianthe SNCF would have imagined one “punch operation“, To add trains – and therefore selling places – on the railway axis.

The Kombo comparator says SNCF has dropped “of 33% its prices“compared to 2024.”fanciful“, For the SNCF, who says all the same”permanently“His offers”at customer demands and in the competitive context“.

130,000 travelers chose Trenitalia on the Paris-Marseille axis

Near the Lyon station in Paris, we are smiling, in the offices of Trenitalia. “”We have filling rates above 70%, exceeding our forecastsunderlines Fabrice Toledano, marketing director. For a month and a half, we have transported 130,000 travelers to this axis. Stops in Avignon and Aix are very successful.“

The company has benefited from discounts on railway tolls, declining over the years. Therefore, will she be able to maintain her low prices? “”There is no planned increasedefends the director. In Paris-Lyon, the prices remained the same. We think we follow the same policy. But you never know what the future is.“