Just a few days before the launch of its Paris-Milan services via Lyon on 18 December, Trenitalia finally unveils its commercial offer. As announcedFrom Saturday onwards, its Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) high-speed trains will make two round trips a day between Paris and Milan, stopping at Lyon Part-Dieu, Chambéry and Modane stations in France and Turin Porta Susa station in Italy. Departures are scheduled from Paris-Lyon at 7.26 am and 3.18 pm and from Milano Centrale at 6.25 am and 3.53 pm. If traffic is good, three other frequencies should be added in the first half of 2022.
Faced with the arrival of this competitor and its two daily rotations, SNCF is - for the time being - playing safe. the serenity card highlighting the volume of its daily offering with 22 return trips by TGV InouiIn addition, there will be 2 to 3 Ouigo low-cost TGVs. And all this while awaiting the launch in spring 2022 of its very low-cost service, Ouigo Vitesse Classique, between Paris Bercy and Lyon Perrache stations.
Offering more than Business Première with Executive Class
The Frecciarossa goes on sale today on the Trenitalia.com website and in the Trenitalia branches. shops at Paris-Lyon and Lyon Part-Dieu stations. The launch of an in-house application will complement direct sales, while travel agencies will be able to start distributing tickets on 18 December. The Oui.sncf website will not, of course, be selling tickets for Trenitalia, which is coming to run on its highly lucrative Paris-Lyon route as part of the opening up of rail competition in Europe. All the more so as the Italian company is starting operations with aggressive pricing to rapidly win market share.
A seat in Standard class, the equivalent of 2nd class on the SNCF, is available from €23 for Paris-Lyon and €29 for Milan. For business travel in Business class, equivalent to 1st class, the minimum cost is 29 on Paris-Lyon and €36 for Paris-Milan. With the option of travelling in a "Silenzio" car to work in complete tranquillity, the comfort of wide leather seats (69 cm) that recline up to 109° and the service of a snack including a hot or cold drink and a sweet or savoury snack.
But Trenitalia could especially make a difference with high-contribution business customers with its Executive class with a hushed ambienceequipped with just 10 armchairs. Spaced out and swivelling, 74 cm wide, they will allow passengers to enjoy a meal served at the seat and snacks concocted by Italian chef Carlo Cracco. The fare will cost €139 to the capital of Gaul and €165 for the full journey. Finally, each train will be equipped with the Sala Meeting, a meeting room for 2 to 5 people that Trenitalia markets on the Paris-Lyon, Paris-Chambéry and Paris-Modane routes. Fares start from €113 per person based on two occupants, with a sliding scale of charges beyond that (i.e. €75 for 5 people).
Have your meal served to you with EasyBistro
Focusing more than ever on on-board service, the Italian airline will be offering in its three classes a high-speed Internet connection accompanied by a travel portal providing access to the press, games, music and practical information. The EasyBistrot tab will also allow passengers to order food and drink from the bar before being served at their seat. Unless the passenger opts to buy from the vendor whose food trolley will be on the train during the journey. All the more reason to make the most of your working time...
From Thello to TrenitaliaIf Trenitalia now competes directly with SNCF in France, the Italian company has already had a presence in France through its subsidiary Thello which until June operated the Paris-Milan-Venice night trains as well as a daytime service in the PACA region with its 6 Marseille-Nice-Milan return frequencies. It carried one million passengers a year, 3/4 of them on the Marseille-Milan route. |
