French rail start-up Velvet gets green light to compete with SNCF on high

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Published: 2026-09-01T09:36:20.843Z • Permanent link

Velvet, a French rail start-up, has secured the first approval needed to launch high-speed services from Paris to cities including Bordeaux, Nantes and Angers. The green light, issued by the French transport authority, SNCT (Société Nouvelle de Chemins de Fer), represents a significant milestone for the company, which aims to bring more choice and competition to the rail market in France. According to sources close to the company, Velvet's CEO, Adrien Mercier, had been in talks with SNCT officials for several months, discussing the potential for the start-up to operate on the existing rail network.

SNCT officials had previously expressed concerns about the feasibility of high-speed services on the existing network, citing issues with infrastructure and safety. However, Velvet's team had proposed a number of innovative solutions, including the use of advanced signaling systems and optimized route planning. The company's plans include the use of high-speed trains, capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour, and the development of a new rail network that would connect Paris to the other cities on the route.

Velvet's approval is seen as a significant development in the French rail sector, which has long been dominated by the state-owned operator SNCF. The company's entry into the market is expected to bring new competition and choice to passengers, who have long complained about the lack of options on the existing network. According to data from the French transport ministry, there are currently over 1 million passengers who travel on high-speed services every day, and Velvet's entry is expected to increase this number significantly.

Velvet's approval has significant implications for the research community, which has been studying the potential for high-speed services on the French rail network for several years. The company's innovative approach to rail infrastructure and operations is likely to be the subject of intense study and analysis by researchers, who will be interested in evaluating the effectiveness of Velvet's solutions in real-world terms. According to data from the International Union of Railways, the French rail sector is one of the largest in Europe, with over 30 billion euros in annual revenue and over 100,000 employees.

The approval also has implications for the markets, where investors are likely to be interested in evaluating the potential for growth and returns on investment in the French rail sector. According to data from Bloomberg, the French rail sector has been one of the top-performing sectors in Europe over the past year, with many investors seeking to capitalize on the sector's growth potential. Velvet's entry into the market is likely to increase investor interest in the sector, and could potentially lead to increased investment and growth.

Velvet's approval is part of a broader trend in the French rail sector, which has seen significant investment and innovation in recent years. The company's innovative approach to rail infrastructure and operations is likely to be influenced by the broader European context, where there is a growing trend towards high-speed rail networks and increased investment in rail infrastructure. According to data from the European Commission, the European Union has committed over 100 billion euros to rail infrastructure development over the next decade, and Velvet's entry into the market is likely to be influenced by these broader trends.