When a coordinated sabotage of the SNCF network took place on 26 July, paralysing traffic on most high-speed lines, in the middle of the summer holidays and on the eve of the opening of the Paris Olympic Games, it caused a stir within the country.
The surprise is total, this catastrophic scenario was already foreseen, but not on such a scale. We at the operator were counting on a cyber attack. In any case, the attack highlights the almost mechanical vulnerability of the network.
The investigation is still ongoing. Fingerprints have been taken and telephone communications are being analysed. Above all, the detailed knowledge of the strategic and sensitive areas to be attacked in order to cause the greatest possible damage raises questions, especially within the SNCF.
While waiting for the investigators to communicate the information, the question of protecting the network quickly arose. Obviously, it is impossible to physically control the 28,000 kilometres of exploited tracks, or all the critical places where cables, switchgears, etc. pass through… A perfectly utopian objective.
Utopia
The truth is that SNCF Réseau, responsible for the management and maintenance of the network, has always deployed a variety of human and technical tools to control the infrastructure.
We are therefore talking about human surveillance with dedicated mobile teams that have a real-time reporting system, the role of Rail Security and agreements with the authorities.
In terms of technical resources, almost all the tracks of the high-speed line are fenced, cable passage points are secured and surveillance cameras have been installed.
More recently, the SNCF Group subsidiary has also been using drones, but their use is currently limited by regulations.
The question obviously arises: is this enough? How can we be more efficient? If, after the sabotage, the government quickly called for increased security measures, SNCF Réseau does not currently have the additional means to do so. It is clear that nothing has been done.
Fences, drones, cameras.
According to our information, we will have to wait and see. A manager explains that comments are being made on new protection measures, based in particular on what has been done with drones, in order to measure their effectiveness. It is also a question of knowing under what technical, regulatory, human and financial conditions these measures can be implemented.
“We must first learn lessons” from what is being done and what can be done, the source said. But we must be pragmatic, as it is almost impossible to prevent someone who is determined to act, especially if he acts alone.
However, the crux of the problem is funding. SNCF Réseau’s allocation for security amounts to approximately €35 million for the period 2023-2024.
It is a lot and a little at the same time, it is a budget that may be sufficient at a constant volume. However, the sabotage of July requires new investments.
Despite the executive’s statements, there is “nothing” concrete for the moment. In reality, the company and the State are waiting for the meeting to negotiate the modification of the performance contract that binds the two entities for several years. The negotiations, which promise to be difficult, will take place this autumn.
When questioned, the Ministry of Transport did not comment, referring to the latest statements from the Ministry of the Interior.
Nothing concrete
Internally, we firmly hope that this meeting will be an opportunity to take into account what happened in July, take stock and allocate resources to it.
But nothing is certain. The government has several arguments for rejecting it. As for the performance contract, the State can point to the increase in the allocation decided at the end of 2023.
It was promised to gradually increase it from €3 billion (in 2022) to €4.5 billion in 2027.
But this funding must be directed towards the regeneration (replacement) of the tracks of the secondary network (TER, daily trains) and their modernisation with new signalling technologies. There is urgency because the delay is colossal, which has consequences on traffic, on travel times… It is a priority. As is supporting climate change.
The executive can also invoke the famous €100 billion infrastructure plan by 2040 promised by former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne in 2023. But no one has seen its colour.
Or the funds from the profits of SNCF Voyageurs (the commercial subsidiary) which supplement a competition fund. Especially since SNCF Voyageurs has been profitable for several years.
SNCF Réseau’s revenues are below targets
And then there are the revenues of SNCF Réseau, which should, a priori, benefit from the current train craze. Indeed, each operator (SNCF, but also new entrants) using the network’s tracks must pay a right of way, very high tolls in France that vary according to the line and the number of trains.
But according to our information, expected revenues this year will be lower than the targets set. New players that were due to be launched have been delayed. Remember that to date there are only two SNCF competitors: Trenitalia and Renfe. Not to mention the delicate financial situation of some regions that operate TER trains but also have to pay tolls (and are contesting the increases).
In addition, the subsidiary (which is a public company under private law like SNCF) must present balanced accounts and have zero free cash flow. “It is therefore impossible to regain balance or return to imbalance,” suggests one source. Should we then increase tolls even further? The risk would be to scare away potential competitors of SNCF.
Finally, SNCF Réseau has the unpleasant impression of being subjected to contradictory precautionary measures, asking it to function better with fewer resources, while these security issues are partly the responsibility of the State.
Last year, after a malicious act at the Gare de l’Est in Paris caused two days of disruption, Clément Beaune, the Minister of Transport, nevertheless released an exceptional allocation of 5 million euros to reinforce video surveillance equipment and protect 130 sensitive sites. A sum that was considered insufficient at the time.
The discussions will therefore be intense and will take place in a political context that risks not calming down.
Source: BFM TV
