The promise of a revolution in high-speed rail travel Kevin Speed with its project for low-cost TGV trains that would run on Paris-Lille, Paris-Strasbourg and Paris-Lyon on the horizon 2028. Through its Illistothe rail startup intends to offer a kind of High-speed RER with 16 journeys a day in each direction, between 6am and 10pm, and low fares, starting at €3 to Lille and Strasbourg and €5 to Lyon. Above all, unlike TGV of the SNCFTrains will be reservation-free, allowing passengers to hop on and off as they make stops along each route. All the TGV stations on each line will be served by the TGVs that Kevin Speed account to order from the manufacturer Alstom. These include Haute-Picardie TGV station for Paris-Lille, Lorraine TGV, Meuse TGV and Champagne Ardenne TGV stations for Paris-Strasbourg, and Mâcon Loché TGV and Le Creusot-Montceau-Montchavin TGV stations for Paris-Lyon. The trainsets will be specially designed, with more doors than the TGVs we know today, to allow passengers to board and exit quickly at stops. With low-cost fares starting at €10 or €12 for a return journey, Kevin Speed is targeting commuters, young people and families on a tight budget...
Agreement signed with SNCF Réseau to obtain train paths
While Kevin Speed still has many hurdles to clear before its launch in 2028 (financing of trains, trials from 2026, commercial opening, etc.), the future rail operator has signed the 29 February at the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion under the aegis of Patrice Vergriete, Minister Delegate for Transport, a framework agreement for the reservation of train paths on these three routes with SNCF Réseau. The agreement is for 10 years, and is renewable if commercial success is achieved. " The opening up of the market means that new operators will be able to enter the market, increasing the number of trains and therefore the rail services available to the French, including for medium-sized towns and cities. The latter will benefit in every way" said a delighted Patrice Vergriete at the signing ceremony.
