SNCF's new simplified fare system

[whole diary]

[stuving]

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) have announced a "simplification" of their fares, though Le Monde had a cartoon with their report based on the idea that more complicated conditions for their simpler fares spoiled the effect. The stated ambition is to increase journeys initially to 135M from the pre-covid  level of 115M annually, and to 200M by 2030. If those numbers sound way too low (the figure for all TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) was above 1700M) remember that SNCF only sell tickets for TGVs^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) and Intercités; all the TERs are thus excluded from this. It's not easy to split the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) figures on a similar basis for comparison. But that does imply that the capacity is there (or planned).

Here's main points from one of the first English reports (though I'm not vouching for its accuracy), News.in-24:

Rates capped at 39, 59 and 79 euros even on the day of departure

• In concrete terms, the new Advantage card replaces all other cards from June 1 and covers travelers aged 12 to over 60. Marketed at 49 euros per year, it provides a 30% reduction on the day’s journey and -60% for the children (up to 3) of the card holder.
• This card gives access to prices capped even at the last moment at 39 euros (19 euros for children) for short journeys, 59 euros (29 euros for children) for intermediate journeys and 79 euros (39 euros for children) for long journeys (more than 3 hours).
• All tickets will be exchangeable and refundable up to three days before departure.
• SNCF is also announcing a new annual Teleworking package valid from Monday to Thursday for 250 journeys. It will be 40% cheaper than the current annual package at 311 euros per month for example in 2nd class, or “208 euros in savings”, advance the SNCF.
• A specific offer for seniors (TGVmax) at 79 euros per month to travel as much as they want. SNCF recalls that more than 50,000 senior customers make more than 10 round trips in a year.
• Finally, a simpler and more advantageous loyalty program will be put in place.

This new price offer has been deployed since Tuesday “for certain measures”, namely the Advantage card and the price cap before being applied globally between September and early 2022, in particular the Senior offer.

I await an analysis of the revenue implications ...

[Electric train]

I await an analysis of the revenue implications ...

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) operate under a different political philosophy than the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) railways (currently) operate under, the railways paying for its self through passenger revenue is not a key driver.  The French government are positively dissuading people for internal flights and car commuting.

This could be the direction of travel    for GBR^▸ (Great British Railways)