As the c2c rail franchise transitions to public ownership on Sunday 20 July, Trenitalia has marked the end of its stewardship by highlighting eight years of investment, innovation, and performance. The company, which acquired c2c in 2017, will formally hand over operations to the Department for Transport, with the service rebranded as c2c Railway Limited.
While the franchise transfer marks the conclusion of Trenitalia’s role as c2c operator, the company confirmed it remains committed to the UK transport sector. Its recent open access application for high-speed services between London and Paris underlines its continued investment in international rail connectivity and its broader ambition to contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected European network.
A strategic transition
Part of Italy’s FS Group, Trenitalia described the transition not as an exit but a repositioning. The company plans to maintain its presence as a strategic partner in the UK rail landscape, aligning with the vision set out by Great British Railways and future plans to operate the railway as a national network.
Trenitalia said it would continue fostering relationships with British SMEs, universities, and innovation centres, aiming to support knowledge sharing and long-term sector resilience.
Operational achievements
Since 2017, c2c has delivered over 935,000 train services and supported more than 315 million passenger journeys. The operator has consistently ranked among the UK’s most punctual train companies and recently achieved a 94.5% overall customer satisfaction score—the highest recorded in the most recent Transport Focus survey.
A significant investment programme underpinned the company’s performance, including the introduction of 10 new Alstom electric trainsets as part of a £100 million fleet modernisation strategy. In addition, c2c became the UK’s first fully contactless national rail network, now handling over 10,000 daily contactless taps.
Trenitalia also introduced its fully digital PICO ticketing system, which replaced multiple outdated legacy platforms, alongside improvements to passenger compensation processes and upgraded station facilities.
Economic and social contribution
Beyond operational delivery, Trenitalia’s management of c2c has supported the regional economy and local communities. Over 25,000 commuters use c2c services into London each weekday, and independent analysis suggests rail travel contributes around £590 million annually to businesses in the East of England.
The operator also recovered GBP 596,000 from fare evasion in the most recent year through enhanced fare compliance measures. Meanwhile, c2c received a number of independent accreditations for its safety commitments, including certifications in Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Secure Stations, and the White Ribbon initiative.
Collaboration with government programmes such as the Station Improvement Fund and the Customer & Communities Investment Fund (CCIF) helped deliver further station upgrades and passenger experience improvements.
“A resolve for continuous improvement”
Reflecting on the transition, Trenitalia UK Managing Director Ernesto Sicilia said: “Our management of c2c has been grounded in a resolve for continuous improvement and being in tune with the needs of the communities we serve. As the franchise moves to public ownership, we acknowledge both the progress made and the ongoing challenges of unifying a fragmented rail industry.
“In the meantime, we will continue to support and deliver services on the Avanti West Coast franchise until it too transitions to public ownership in 2026. While our role as operator is ending, our dedication to sharing knowledge, supporting innovation and fostering collaboration remains unchanged.
“We recognise that building a resilient and integrated rail network takes time and Trenitalia is determined to play a constructive part in that journey.”
Continuing the journey
Trenitalia expressed its gratitude to c2c staff, passengers, and partners for their contributions over the past eight years. The company described the period as one of collaboration, progress, and mutual learning, and reaffirmed its intention to remain engaged in the UK rail market.
As Trenitalia looks ahead, its focus will remain on international connectivity, investment in sustainable transport, and building partnerships that support a more integrated European rail system.
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