This is an underlying trend that has been confirmed throughout 2022. The French have opted for the train to move. The desire to travel was very strong after two years of covid restrictions (last summer, the SNCF mentioned a sales record) but other levers came into play.
In addition to the environmental consideration of the train, especially by the youngest, compared to the car or the plane, the reinforcement of the railway offer (competition, new lines) has promoted its use according to a study carried out by Trainline.
Ecological awareness means that 30% of French people have taken the train once or twice on a car trip, the study suggests. Regarding the modal change between plane and train, 22% of those surveyed state that they have taken the train once or twice in 2022 instead of the plane, a percentage that even rises to 27% between 35-44 years old and 26% between 18-24 years
Increase bookings for distant destinations
This trend is illustrated in the destinations that have experienced the largest increase in bookings between 2021 and 2022.
- Grenoble +390%
- Orleans +323%
- Marseille +321%
- Amsterdam +314%
- Aix-en-Provence +299%
Thus, only Orleans is less than 3 hours from Paris, “which shows that more and more French people are choosing the train instead of the plane, even for trips of more than 2h30”.
Figures that could be better since 52% still say that the price factor is what prevents them from taking a greener mode of transport. Among those aged 25 to 34, this proportion even rises to 61%.
In addition, more than half of the respondents (53%) stated that they would be willing to travel more by train if there were actions in favor of lower prices, in particular by the government.
However, some prices begin to fall, but under the effect of emerging competition (mainly on the Paris-Lyon-Milan axis). And this competition introduces the reflection of price comparison that did not exist, with the SNCF being in a monopoly situation in France until the end of 2021.
Comparing is now a habit for 23% of commuters, a proportion that rises to 33% for 25-34 year olds ahead of Trainline.
+149% for night trains
Strengthening supply also boosts usage. In addition to the arrival of high-speed Trenitalia, the SNCF, under pressure from the government, relaunched the night lines, closed due to lack of profitability but which seem to have found their audience.
Reservations for trains that run between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. have increased by 149% compared to last year, according to the specialist (data on passengers who have booked on Trainline in 2022, compared to 2021 and 2019).
In more general terms, the 5 trips that the French have booked the most in 2022 are:
- Paris-Lyon
- Paris-Bordeaux
- Paris-Nantes
- Paris-Marseille
- Paris-Rennes
Friday at 5:00 p.m., preferred time to take the train
Trainline also gives us some consumption habits. The French book an average of 10 days before departure, compared to 12 days for the Spanish, 5 for the Italians and 15 for the Germans. The least far-sighted on this European list are the English, who on average only book 4 days before departure.
We note that the most popular day of departure for the French is Friday. The most popular departure time is at 5 pm
Finally, the most booked travel date in France last year was Friday, October 28, in order to take advantage of the extended All Saints weekend.
With many more bridges this year, the arrival of new players such as Renfe between France and Spain, it is a safe bet that the use of the train will increase again in 2023. of the great objective of the SNCF, which is to double the use of the train in less of 10 years.
Source: BFM TV
