SNCF Voyageurs, the French state operator, is finalising its entry into Italy’s high-speed market, but faces a technical snag: its new double-deck TGV-M (Avelia Horizon by Alstom) trains stand 4.32 metres tall, exceeding the 4.28-metre G1 loading gauge on sections of the classic network, such as Roma-Orte.
This bars them from diversionary routes when high-speed lines like the Roma-Firenze direttissima (G2 gauge) are disrupted, unlike single-deck Frecciarossa or Italo sets. Railway analyst Jon Worth confirmed the incompatibility using EU Agency for Railways data.
Operational Impact
RFI, the network manager, may need to revise working timetables, potentially leading to more cancellations for SNCF services confined to high-speed tracks during faults. Modifying tunnels or lowering train roofs would prove prohibitively expensive, so bespoke protocols and regulatory tweaks are eyed instead. Reliable diversionary running is a prized service quality, especially as rivals already provide it.
Regulatory Green Light
Meanwhile, Italy’s AGCM competition authority has approved SNCF Voyages Italia’s industrial plan after probing RFI for potential dominance abuse. RFI must allocate at least 18 daily high-speed paths (surcos) with 10-year stability on Turin-Milan-Rome and Turin-Milan-Venice axes to this new entrant. S
NCF, already running Paris-Turin-Milan internationals, welcomes this but deems it insufficient for its full 26-path plan supporting 13 return workings.
Commercial Strategy
SNCF aims to mirror its Spanish Ouigo low-cost model in Italy, targeting 15% high-speed market share and 10 million passengers yearly across Turin, Milan, Rome, Naples, and Venice. It will deploy 15 double-deck TGV-Ms with ~650 seats, offering 40% more capacity than rivals’ single-deckers.
Success hinges on RFI path delivery, gauge workaround, and Italian uptake of the budget formula that boosted Spanish ops with 44.3% passenger growth and positive EBITDA in 2025.