3.6 New challengers 2013
Briefly new developments in the industry will be covered in this section by naming important challengers and providing further information related to their business model.
Ouigo, France
Ouigo is the low-cost section of the French incumbent SNCF. The spinoff was announced on 19th of February 2013. It is operating with a single class, restrictions on bagage sizes and low prizes. Further information are provide in the links below. Launch of operations is scheduled for the 2nd of April 2013.
Business presentation - Railway Gazette Leo Express, Czech Republic
Is a new challenger in the Czech Republican market. The company is operating trains between Ostrava and Praha with a low cost focus since November 2012. Further information are provide in the links below.
Launch information - Railway GazettePassenger satisfaction - Railway GazetteTrain handover - Railway GazetteMSN Maedge, Germany
MSN Maedge aims at challenging HKX and Deutsche Bahn in the German market. The company plans operating leased trains on the route Hamburg-Cologne. Yet the launch of the services is still in planning.
Initial information - Railway Gazette