Italian rail operator Trenitalia will now offer a valet parking service at select train stations across France following a partnership with service provider Ector.
The initiative, which launched earlier this month, is available at Paris Gare de Lyon and Lyon Part-Dieu stations and aims to improve the traveller experience “by eliminating obstacles linked to parking”.
The ‘turnkey’ service is offered to Trenitalia passengers at a reduced rate (a €15 discount on the first reservation, followed by a 10 per cent reduction on subsequent bookings) and reservations can be made prior to the date of travel via the rail operator’s website.
On the day of travel, passengers can leave their vehicle at a dedicated drop-off point, where a valet will then park it in ‘a private and secure car park’, according to the companies. The service also includes the unloading of luggage and inventory of the contents of the car. Upon return, the valet tracks the train’s arrival ‘in real time’ to ensure the car is ready at the same meeting point.
Trenitalia France president Marco Caposciutti said the partnership “illustrates our desire to offer a peaceful journey to our customers” and strengthens the operator’s commitment to intermodality.
Ector strategic director Florentine Poncelet added: “We are convinced that this alliance strengthens our common mission of making travel more sustainable and practical”.
Beyond its partnership with Trenitalia, the Ector service is also available at train stations and airports in Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Nice, Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.