Ski-train operator Travelski opens bids for passenger transport
Compagnie des Alpes, along with its tour operator Travelski, has initiated an invitation to tender, encouraging European rail operators to submit bids for providing passenger trains to Alpine resorts. Travelski, which provides packaged ski holidays in the French Alps across France, Belgium, Israel, and the Netherlands, has taken a step forward in sustainable transportation.
Following the successful launch of the “ski train” service under the Travelski express brand, which chartered trains from London and Paris to the French Alps, Travelski recently announced a European request for bids. The goal is to establish a recurring low-carbon transport service by train from various European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Brussels, to the French Alps, spanning three years from 2024 to 2027. Potential routes from Spain are also under consideration.
The invitation to tender welcomes participation from all European rail operators capable of providing passenger trains, either complete or otherwise, for one or two rotations per week between mid-December and mid-April. Compagnie des Alpes pledges a committed volume to the selected operator over the long term. The bid process encompasses various types of rail transport, such as high-speed, intercity, and night trains, depending on availability and proposals from the operators. This decision is informed by two years of experience with Travelski-express and preliminary discussions with multiple rail service providers.
Lowering carbon emissions for ski-related transport
The project aligns with the Travelski’s core purpose, aiming not only to enhance the appeal of the French Alps in European rail markets but also to champion more sustainable transportation. The initiative acknowledges the significant disparity in pollution ratios between trains, aeroplanes, and cars, emphasising the environmental benefits of promoting rail travel. To make rail transport more enticing, the project incorporates last-mile transport solutions, enabling customers to travel directly to the French Alps by train and be seamlessly transported to their accommodations.
Furthermore, discussions are in progress for potential partnerships with other tourism operators in the French Alps. Compagnie des Alpes is open to consolidating volumes from additional tour operators and accommodation providers to ensure sufficient demand and related guarantees. The overarching objective is to introduce these new, environmentally friendly offerings to the market as early as the 2024-25 winter season, contingent upon the swift and operationally realistic implementation of proposed solutions.
Further reading:
