Thello, France’s first open-access passenger service created by the Transdev-Trenitalia joint venture, now operates (since 14 December 2014) a new daily direct route between the South-East of France and Italy, thus facilitating cross-border access. This route will enable residents of the PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) Region to travel to Italy without changing trains and at an affordable price, between 30 to 70 euros from Marseille to Milan and between 15 to 45 euros from Nice to Milan (in second class).
The train, composed of coaches leased from the Trenitalia’s Frecciabianca fleet, operates daily services to Italy from Marseille at 15.30, and from Nice at 18.09; and services to France from Milan at 15.10, and from Genoa at 16.56.
The company has chosen to operate a local service as opposed to a fast train on this route, where travel times are restricted.
The train therefore serves the stations of Marseille Saint Charles, Toulon, Les Arcs, Saint Raphael, Cannes, Antibes, Nice-Ville, Monaco and Menton. The line continues through Italy, serving the stations of Ventimiglia, San Remo, Imperia Porto Maurizio, Diano Marina, Alassio, Albenga, Finale Ligure, Savona, Genoa Piazza Principe, Voghera, Pavia and Milan Central.
The national journeys made possible via this line are also available, offering passengers and the region a full medium and long-distance transport service.
Thello train tickets can be purchased on the website at www.thello.com, from Thello partners and from ticket machines in stations along the route (Marseille, Nice, Toulon, Monaco, Menton).
This is the second international railway line that the company is reviving.
Seeing a potential for mobility between France and Italy and the relevance of a train service in this market, Thello launched its activities at the end of 2011 by taking over the Paris-Venice route, replacing the sleeper service run by Artesia until 2010.
Announcing the new route, Thello’s Chief Executive Albert Alday said “It is important for our Franco-Italian company not to exclusively target the Paris market but to also offer its services to the border regions. We wish to take an active role in the local economy and its development by facilitating regional and international mobility. To oversee our operations in the south of France we are establishing a platform in Nice. We plan to create around 30 jobs in the region and are recruiting young professionals as well as more experienced staff who are attracted by an all-new business adventure. Around 15 positions have already been filled. We will be launching a new recruitment campaign at the beginning of 2015. The job offers can be consulted on our website at thello.com and we hope to receive a number of applications from candidates across the region.”
(Source: Thello)
