MOROCCO IS ACCELERATING! feature - Alstom

6
interview
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Are you also interested by
other forms of rail transport?
Could NTV enter the urban
or regional transport markets?
We are in high speed because, in Italy,
it is the only sector that has become open
to competition. For us, this is a 100% market
operation: we are committing our equity
and we are not receiving any state subsidy
or protection, in the event that we
do not meet our objectives. In other words,
we do not have a safety net – just our equity,
values and ideas.
If other sectors are opened up to competition,
such as urban or regional transport, we will
certainly examine the possibility of becoming
involved in new challenge. The network will
offer many exciting opportunities for services.
If in the future these markets are opened
up to competition, management of services
will be awarded through tenders, with
rail companies given licences and safety
certifi cates to transport people.
The objective of the tender will be
to guarantee a minimum service level, at
the least cost for the State. There will be many
advantages: private companies will not
only be able to offer a more effi cient service,
but equally a more profi table one; the State
will also be relieved of some of its costs;
fi nally, passengers will benefi t from better
travelling conditions.
What does the .Italo brand
represent for NTV?
The .Italo brand is very important. It not only
embodies our way of thinking and our project,
it also expresses our dream and our
commitment to, and affection for, Italy.
We are famous in Italy for our way of life and
this reputation is based on quality, design
and innovation. .Italo represents all these
characteristics: we want to offer passengers
a new way of life. And, in this respect, our
brand has a very immediate emotional impact.
Of course, it is still not very well-known,
which is entirely normal, given
that commercial service has not yet begun.
We are however confi dent that .Italo will
soon fi nd its place in passengers’ hearts.
“ I am sure that in twenty years NTV will be
a major operator, not only in Italy, but also
at European level.”
What type of passenger
is the AGV .Italo targeting?
Let’s be clear: this will not be a train for
the wealthy and for businessmen. We will
have all sorts of passengers: families,
students, managers and tourists. It is not
a coincidence that the slogan we have
chosen is .Italo, il tuo treno [.Italo, your train].
Our objective is to propose a quality product,
which is attractive and competitively priced.
As I said, our marketing department,
from the start, commissioned surveys
to understand passengers’ expectations
and demands. We would like to offer a service
that meets the market’s expectations.
It is important to be prepared to change one’s
mind and to learn from experience, without
preconceived ideas. If we are able to listen
to our customers, and we will always do our
best to do this, we will also succeed
in satisfying them.
To conclude, how do you see
NTV in twenty years time?
In twenty years? Allow me to indulge my
fantasies: I can imagine the AGV .Italo silently