Italian Open Access operator Italo is making a huge bet on Germany, with them signing a contract with Siemens for new trains after gaining track access to the German High Speed Network.
Siemens Velaro for Italo – Image, Siemens
Italo Holding and Siemens Mobility signed a contract in Munich for the purchase of 26 high-speed trains, with options for a further 14, and 30 years of maintenance, which will be used on the high-speed rail market in Germany.
From mid-2028, the German company (controlled by Italo) will operate along two main corridors: Munich-Cologne-Dortmund and Munich-Berlin-Hamburg, serving 18 cities on a network of 1,300 kilometres with a total of 50 daily trips.
The agreement is a step forward to introducing competition into one of Europe’s largest rail markets.
Italo has selected the Siemens Velaro Multi System model. The train has a maximum speed of 320 km/h. In terms of accommodation, it will consist of 8 carriages containing 450 seats, split over 3 travel environments(Club Executive, Prima Business and Smart) and a bistro
In-train Wi-Fi will be provided with both 5G and Starlink connectivity.
The total investment of 3.6 billion euros includes the purchase of trains – assembled at the Siemens plant in Krefeld – the hiring and training of around 2,500 employees (including related industries), as well as investments in stations and IT infrastructure.
The investment also includes a 30-year service contract, which includes comprehensive maintenance at Siemens Mobility’s depot in Dortmund.
In Quotes
Gianbattista La Rocca, CEO of Italo Holding, said:
“We intend to offer German passengers more choice, more frequent services, fair prices and a high-quality service. Starting with trains: Siemens Mobility’s technology sets the standard and a total investment of 3.6 billion euros reflects the depth of our commitment to this market,” commented
“Following the decision of the Bundesnetzagentur, we are now ready to take the first concrete steps to start the services in 2028, from the recruitment and training of staff to the development of the industrial, operational and commercial structure of this new chapter dedicated to Germany. We thank our shareholders – MSC, GIP (part of BlackRock), Allianz and our founding partners – for the strong support they have provided us throughout this phase.”
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Chairman of Italo Holding, said:
“Today marks the opening of an important chapter for European rail mobility. Italo’s arrival in Germany is not just the entry of a new operator, but a concrete step towards a single transport market, capable of overcoming the patchy liberalizations that still fragment Europe. I believe in a system that puts citizens at the center, giving them the opportunity to choose how and with whom to travel. This project is the result of the union between the experience of Italo, the first private high-speed operator that has achieved the first major liberalization of the European railway sector in Italy, and the great potential of Germany: a strategic railway network for the entire continent, and an industrial partner such as Siemens Mobility capable of building trains of the highest quality. A new company rooted in the German territory will be born that will give work and opportunities to thousands of German professionals and that I am confident will generate market growth, fairer prices and better services for travelers. It is the demonstration that Europe, when it chooses to open up and collaborate, knows how to create shared value. A small but significant step towards a more integrated Europe, which we need today more than ever. I am proud of it, as an Italian but even more so as a European,”
Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility, added:
“Italo Holding’s decision represents a great sign of confidence in Siemens Mobility and its Velaro, one of the most successful high-speed trains in the world. Present in numerous countries with over 3 billion kilometers traveled and millions of passengers transported worldwide, Velaro has set a benchmark for reliable and efficient high-speed rail transport. This long-term partnership agreement, covering trains and 30 years of comprehensive service, represents a landmark project and a strong commitment to industrial value creation and innovation made in Germany,”
High Speed Open-Access to arrive in Germany.
Whilst there are Open Access Operators in Germany (notably, Eurostar, FlixTrain, WestJet, NightJet and European Sleeper), these operate on the conventional lines. Italo’s entry marks the first time someone will challenge Deutsche Bahn and it long distance subisdaty, DB Fernverkehr, on domestic German high-speed services (save a few trans-national services between France, Switzerland and other countries).
With access so far limited to state operators on the high-speed lines, there’s finally going to be a challenger for DB. And if the delays are anything to go by, that competition might be the thing to drive DB forward.
And who knows, maybe other operators will see what open access opportunities await. I suspect the incumbents will be watching carefully, especially FlixTrain with its larger order made with Talgo.
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