“This is the golden age of the train, the figures prove it.” Christophe Fanichet, general director of SNCF Voyageurs, does not hide his satisfaction after a record year in terms of attendance in 2023.
Specifically, one in three TGVs was full last year and the SNCF registered 122 million passengers on its high-speed trains, an increase of 4%, a historical record. The figure even rises to 156 million (+6%) with European destinations.
At Christmas alone, 6.5 million people took the train, 500,000 more than in 2022 (+8%).
“The dynamics of the train are very strong,” emphasizes the manager, who specifies that “business clients have also returned” with an increase of 6% compared to 2022.
The same satisfaction on the TER side with +8% of travelers and even +21% in four years. Intercités experienced a growth of 4.5% to 11 million passengers.
Tickets: SNCF will not pass on all the increase in its costs
The operator is convinced that this is not a temporary trend but a lasting one.
However, this success has a drawback: the SNCF can only count on a fleet of 364 TGVs, which are currently insufficient during peak hours. And given the traffic dynamics, there will be no additional trains running this summer, as the new TGV M will suffer delivery delays. A real disappointment for the operator.
Trains will fill up quickly and become more expensive. Although the decision has not yet been made, the CEO confirms that the increase in TGV prices will be lower than inflation. The prices of Ouigo, Intercités and the Avantage card will be frozen.
The truth is that the SNCF has other great challenges to overcome this year, in particular the good management of transport for the Paris Olympic Games.
“It is our number one priority, it can only be successful,” says the manager. The social issue is delicate and discussions continue with the unions on issues of availability, bonuses, etc.
The social climate remains tense
Despite everything, the social climate at the SNCF remains tense, especially with regard to salaries and working conditions. Discontent has not abated since late 2023 and some unions continue to threaten to strike during the event.
Remember that 4,500 additional trains are planned for Transilien, that is, +15% compared to usual (during this summer period).
“Compared to the usual, it will not be so much a difference in volume but a difference in nature. We will do nothing less than what we do every day of the year. On the other hand, what is exceptional lies in the means with which it will be intense every day of the year. days and throughout the day, with different flows than usual,” explains Christophe Fanichet.
And he adds: “It is also about the mobilization of TER, the international and national TGVs to come to Paris or the region, and the transfer by the TGVs of sports teams, in particular for men’s and women’s football competitions. “.
Given the growth in traffic and the challenge of the Olympic Games, the operator is betting on massive hiring. Last year 4,900 were carried out, of which 1,300 in Ile-de-France, 1,350 drivers are in training (compared to 750 in 2022).
Welcome contest
The total workforce increased 3% last year and will increase another 2% this year; This is almost the first time such a trend has been observed. However, there are also departures, not insignificant, so the turnover reaches 2%.
The year 2024 will also be the year of the competition. Firstly on the high-speed lines with an intensification of the Renfe offensive, for example. But the railway company remains very calm. The competition (Trenitalia and Renfe) does not reduce the SNCF’s fees, but rather increases the size of the pie.
“The appetite for trains benefits competition without affecting our volumes or our activity. We are very happy: there is a market and it is growing for everyone,” says Christophe Fanichet.
The applications for the lots in the same regions are multiplied: Centre-Val de Loire and Pays de la Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Hauts-de-France, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Bretagne, Normandie, Provence-Alpes- Blue Coast…
If the SNCF signs victories with many regions that renew their trust in it, “we know that we are going to lose some,” acknowledges the general director, such as the TER line between Marseille, Toulon and Nice, where the historical operator is highly criticized.
Source: BFM TV
