{"id":228625,"date":"2026-09-01T12:34:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=228625"},"modified":"2026-09-01T12:46:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:46:53","slug":"velvet-licence-exploitation-launch-2028","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/velvet-licence-exploitation-launch-2028","title":{"rendered":"Velvet secures its operating licence for a 2028 launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Things are speeding up for Velvet. Following the unveiling of its first high-speed train in its corporate colours \u2013 purple and green \u2013 last April, the up-and-coming rail operator has just been granted its railway undertaking licence by the Directorate-General for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility (DGITM). This key milestone will allow it to \u00ab to order train paths, access essential infrastructure and structure its operations<\/em> \u00bb, stated Velvet in its press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, this new operator, which aims to challenge SNCF from 2028 on the Greater West network with services from Paris to Rennes, Le Mans, Angers, Nantes, Bordeaux, and beyond, has only two years left. The railway undertaking licence is an important milestone. It authorises us to go further in the preparation of our trains, our teams and our procedures <\/em>\u00bb, as Rachel Picard, co-founder and president of Velvet, pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A multi-stage launch by 2028<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, many other steps still await Velvet before its commercial launch in 2028. These notably include the interior design of its high-speed train fleet (not yet unveiled to date), the definition of operating procedures, the testing and certification of these trainsets with the obtaining of its single safety certificate, the recruitment and training of its staff (drivers, ticket inspectors, train managers, and station and on-board hosts and hostesses), ticket distribution, and the marketing aspect to launch and develop its brand awareness in France and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n