La competizione nel settore dell’Alta Velocità ferroviaria in Italia: gli attuali limiti infrastrutturali e regolatori e i potenziali benefici socioeconomici derivanti dall’ingresso di un terzo operatore

The article examines the structural and regulatory barriers that limit competition in Italy’s high-speed rail market, where network saturation and the long-standing Trenitalia–Italo duopoly constrain growth. With SNCF Voyages Italia planning to enter the market in 2027, the paper identifies key infrastructure bottlenecks, compares Italy’s conditions with the more dynamic developments in Spain and France, and evaluates the potential impacts of a third operator. Expected outcomes include lower ticket prices, increased demand, broader service differentiation, and meaningful environmental benefits. Using a cost-benefit framework, the study estimates over €480 million in annual socio-economic gains, showing how new entrants could improve the efficiency of the high-speed network and enhance the return on major public investments.