Italian railway will challenge Eurostar's dominance in Europe

Italy's state railway company, FS, plans to launch a London-Paris high-speed rail service by 2029. This move aims to compete with Eurostar, the current dominant operator. FS is investing €1 billion and will use trains similar to its Frecciarossa service. FS is also exploring extending the service to Lyon, Marseille, and Milan. Additionally, it is considering reopening Ashford International station. This expansion marks a significant step in challenging Eurostar's current monopoly on the route. The announcement follows recent developments, including infrastructure charge discounts and increased depot capacity. Eurostar welcomes the competition and is investing in its own fleet. Experts have differing views on when new services will actually launch.