On the occasion of the Grand Live du Voyages d'affaires, which took place online on 20th January on the initiative of CDS Groupe and the IFTM-Top Resa trade fair, Jean-Pierre FarandouThe head of the SNCF, Jean-Claude Trichet, opened the conference with an update on the rail company's business. A business segment that is currently affected by a 30% fall in demand and an increase in absenteeism following the outbreak of the Omicron variant in France and the measures taken by the government concerning the teleworking. In response, the SNCF has decided to reduce its TGV services by 10% and its Intercités services by 20% (with the exception of night trains). In the longer term, the CEO wants to see the glass as half full with regard to the emergence of teleworking and the Internet. videoconferencing on its business activity, which represents 20% of its customer base but 40% of SNCF Voyageurs' turnover. " Of course there is regulation, but the good news is that some of these customers who work remotely now live further away. While these customers will travel less to get to the office, they will travel longer distances to get back." he believes. And he predicts that business traffic will be 10% to 15% lower this year than before the health crisis, with a return to 2019 business levels expected "by the end of 2023"..
Win back business customers
To achieve this objective as quickly as possible, SNCF will be carrying out a aggressive commercial policy with companies via promotions. " We have decided to be as attractive as possible through appropriate services and pricing based on a system of contracts and volume discounts." says Jean-Pierre Farandou, who considers this contractual policy to be a priority. " In particular, SNCF has a thousand key accounts with whom we have virtually one-to-one discussions and can go even further. in discounts granted compared to Pro" . The big news could be the forthcoming integration of the Ouigo in its business range, with business travellers using these low-cost TGVs for their trips because of their attractive fares and convenient timetables. " Ouigo should no longer be seen as an internal SNCF low-cost service, but as an integral part of the TGV offer. that we offer our customers", he said. The Ouigo range is far from negligible today, representing 25% of high-speed trains. Exchanges between Ouigo and Inoui tickets should be made easier. The launch of the SNCF Connect application at the end of January will be part of the SNCF's drive to "make life easier for customers by making their journeys smoother"." he added.
Taking rail to 20% of journeys in France
For retain and attract new business customersthe national railway company is then banking on theenvironmental benefit that a train journey represents compared with other modes of transport. " Taking the train means reconciling mobility with protecting the planet" says the Chairman. He goes on to point out that trains generate 50% less carbon emissions than cars and 80% less than planes. At a time when many companies are concerned about the environment and produce a CSR report every year, the SNCF is now offering key accounts the opportunity to calculate the carbon footprint of their annual journeys. " So they know how much carbon they have saved" . More specifically, the ambition is to take 10 points off the car, which currently accounts for 85% of journeys in France. Here too, SNCF Connect will be used to develop joint mobility and facilitate door-to-door travel via train + taxi, train + car hire, train + bike or train + car sharing. " These different links need to be woven together to create a practical, seamless transport chain for organising and booking a trip from start to finish." he insists.
offer a Business Pro with an improved service on the Paris-Lyon route to convince our business customers to stay on board our TGVs
Lastly, Jean-Pierre Farandou said that he was not at all concerned about the arrival of competitors on the rail network, and in particular of Trenitalia present on the Paris-Lyon-Milan route. " This will stimulate us and enable us to be even better in the services we offer to businesses. Our response will be to offer a Business Pro with an improved service on the Paris-Lyon route to convince our business customers to stay on board our TGVs. With a major advantage in terms of the range of services on offer, i.e. 22 frequencies per day compared with 2 return trips for our Italian competitors." . Even though Trenitalia plans to add a few more rotations in the spring of 2022.
