Trenitalia France, an Italian train operator that has been competing with France’s state-run high-speed rail service, SNCF’s TGV, since late 2021, is set to reduce its train services by 20% starting in early 2027. This cut includes 36 fewer weekly train connections, with the most significant reductions on the popular Paris-Lyon-Milan and Paris-Marseille routes. The "Frecciarossa" service, which is Trenitalia’s high-speed train brand, will run 144 trains per week instead of the current 180, and there will be two fewer daily round trips on the Paris-Lyon line each week. Trenitalia France attributed the service cuts to maintenance needs. Some of its trains are entering a "high maintenance" phase, which is a normal part of their service life cycle. The company confirmed that adjustments to its schedule are planned for early 2027, but it has not officially confirmed the exact number of trains affected or the 20% reduction mentioned in some reports. The maintenance process involves immobilizing each train for several weeks to inspect and replace parts if needed. With only nine trains in its fleet, the temporary unavailability of even one train requires periodic adjustments to the service schedule. Trenitalia France emphasized that these changes are "mandatory and essential for railway safety." The company has chosen to implement these adjustments in the first months of 2027 to minimize disruption for passengers and ensure thorough equipment checks before the busy travel season. However, Trenitalia France has faced challenges in France, with an average occupancy rate of 45% on routes to Lyon and Marseille. The company has also accumulated financial losses of about 150 million euros between 2022 and 2024, largely due to high toll costs, which can account for up to 40% of a ticket’s price. Trenitalia France has not announced any new routes in France but is focusing on strengthening its existing services, especially those leading to Marseille, in an effort to retain customers during the 2026-2027 period. However, the reduction in train frequency and the continued low occupancy rates will make achieving profitability more difficult, particularly with the high toll costs still affecting its operations. The company had also previously faced disruptions after a 2023 landslide closed the Maurienne valley for an extended period, impacting its connections to Milan.