The Train is getting closer to the exit. This new French railway company that wants to compete with the SNCF by launching a regional high-speed link in the Great West between Arcachon, Bordeaux, Angoulême, Poitiers, Tours, Angers, Nantes and Rennes announces in a press release “to end its financing operations”.
The operator explains that “one last fundraising will be reserved exclusively for large investors”, funds that will be used in particular for the purchase of the 10 new trains commissioned from the Spanish manufacturer Talgo, an investment of around 300 million euros.
Remember that Le Train also obtained part of its financing thanks to the input of two banks in its capital and through a seed fund.
1 to 3 million euros in capital
But the company also intends to open part of its capital to individuals up to 1 to 3 million euros. It communicates that it has chosen the Bordeaux platform Tudigo to carry out this shareholding operation.
The operation schedule is as follows:
- From March 28 to April 3: pre-registration on the Tudigo website;
- From April 3 to April 11: subscription opening, reserved exclusively for pre-registered holders between March 28 and April 3;
- From April 12: opening of the campaign to the public. The operation will be completed by the end of April.
“Investing in Le Train means participating in an unprecedented business and commercial adventure. It means participating in the advent of a French industrial flagship that creates jobs and in the development of a new high-speed transport offer. It is contributing to the development of responsible mobility, for the benefit of the territories, their inhabitants and our planet”, comments Alain Gétraud, CEO of the company.
Leaving at the end of 2024?
It remains to be seen when Le Train will be able to take off.
Receiving the new equipment ordered will also take time, as a reminder, Le Train was more into second-hand equipment to start faster (and with more virtuosity), but refurbished trains are currently very difficult to find given the effervescence of the rail market. European.
In short, its commercial launch schedule is constantly being delayed: first scheduled for September 2023, it shouldn’t take place until the end of 2024 at best, a bit sooner if Le Train finally manages to get its hands on used equipment.
Alain Gétraud perhaps did not expect so many blocks. “It lacks momentum at all levels,” he repeats. “It’s a shame because it can be done very quickly, due to decarbonization, proximity, modal change, at some point you have to go there, not in 10 years.”
Source: BFM TV
