Avelia Horizon high-speed trains to operate in France by 2028

French company Proxima signed a contract with Alstom for 12 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains, as reported by Railway Supply.

The contract, valued at €850 million, also includes maintenance services at a facility near Bordeaux. The first deliveries are set for 2028.

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The Avelia Horizon high-speed trains can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h. Each train comprises eight passenger cars and two motor cars. The operational speed of 320 km/h ranks these trains among the fastest in Europe. Each train accommodates 740 passengers, making them ideal for long-distance routes. Proxima plans to operate these trains between Paris and cities like Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, and Angers.

Competition in the high-speed train market

Proxima entered the market in June 2024, spearheaded by former SNCF executive Rachel Picard and Alpha Trains’ founder. Initial investments amounted to €1 billion, fueling rapid expansion. The funds were provided by Antin Infrastructure Partners, a fund managing €31 billion in assets with extensive experience in railway projects across Europe.

Proxima is the second private company to gain access to France’s high-speed rail network. Earlier, in March 2024, Kevin Speed received approval to run its trains on the line between Paris and northern cities, including Lille and Strasbourg. Kevin Speed plans to use single-deck Alstom trains, intensifying competition in France’s high-speed rail market.

Liberalization of the railway market in France

In 2023, SNCF and the French government signed an agreement to allow private companies into the high-speed rail sector. This decision was necessary because SNCF lacked sufficient trains to meet the growing demand for high-speed travel.

SNCF had ordered 115 Avelia Horizon trains from Alstom, but deliveries were delayed from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, SNCF expects 28 Oxygene trains from Spain’s CAF, although these will not enter service before 2027.

Proxima’s Avelia Horizon trains will help fill this gap, particularly on southern routes. They will improve service by increasing frequency and enhancing comfort for passengers.

With the entry of private operators like Proxima and Kevin Speed, the high-speed rail market in France is becoming more competitive. Other companies are expected to join the market soon, further increasing competition on key routes.

These changes align with a broader European trend toward the liberalization of the railway market, as more private operators begin competing for customers. The new Avelia Horizon trains will raise service standards, making travel more comfortable on popular routes like Paris to Bordeaux.

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