A French start-up is planning to offer some luxury competition for Europe’s recently-growing network of night sleeper trains, hoping to compete not only with the national rail operators but with short-haul flying as well.
The company plans a wide network of cities 500 to 900 miles apart, with a hub at Paris, and says the key that will make it different from others is their plan for ‘hotel-style’ rooms with privacy and security, as well as onboard restaurant and bar. The final network will be released once they have negotiated use of rail networks and leasing of rolling stock, either new or second-hand.
The founders of the new company seem to be well-funded; they include a telecom billionaire who is a co-owner of Le Monde newspaper, and the founder of crowdfunding platform KissKissBankBank. They wouldn’t site ticket prices, but said their fares will be competitive with those of short-haul flights once you add in baggage fees, taxis to airports etc. And, you don’t pay for a hotel room.
