When they opened their mailboxes this morning, passengers found a message from SNCF inviting them to "go for it" and take advantage of Connect Days and its 150,000 Inoui TGV tickets sold on SNCF Connect from €29 one way to Dunkirk in particular, €35 to Rennes and Nancy, and €49 to Marseille. At the same time, Ouigo has informed customers that its prices will be frozen at €10, €16 and €19 for two days on all its destinations in January. These major commercial operations should not obscure the fact that SNCF is increasing its fares by an average of 5% from today. According to the railway company, this increase is necessary in order to " cope with the 180% rise in energy costs between 2022 and 20223, and the 6% rise in inflation costs" according to Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, who was at the helm when the announcement was made last November.
At the request of the government, the railway company announced the introduction of a "tariff shield "to avoid an increase that should have been closer to 13% if these two factors had been fully taken into account. " This effort represents a shortfall of several hundred million euros" he added. In his defence, he also pointed out that this was the first increase in mainline train fares for eight years. But SNCF has the means to make this sacrifice, on the strength of a profit of 2.2 billion euros by 2022 for the group thanks to the post-Covid recovery in its various branches of activity.
An increase in maximum prices
With no changes to the minimum prices of the Inoui and Ouigo TGVs, or to the Avantage card (and its discount rates for the time being), SNCF has chosen to pass on the savings to the general public in 1st and 2nd class and, above all, to business customers. 5% increase". in average" . As a result, all Business Première fares, Pro 2nd tickets and those linked to professional offers (Liberté, Max Actif fares, etc.) will increase by at least 5% from today.
Because, with its yield management policy in full swing, the increase can in effect be much higher depending on demand on the various services, such as on the highly lucrative Paris-Lyon route, but also on the time of day of travel and how early you book. Fares on Intercités trains have not been forgotten, with increases comparable to those on high-speed trains. It should be noted that the price of the Liberté card (which is promoted every autumn) and the BtoB fares negotiated with certain companies remain unchanged for the time being.
Stricter exchange and cancellation conditions on 7 February
Not one to let any small savings slip through its fingers, SNCF is also planning to change its ticket exchange and cancellation conditions from 7 February, which were put in place during the Covid crisis. As a result, free exchange from D-3 to D-6 and the fee will increase from €15 to €19. " This measure will free up seats that passengers no longer want." said Christophe Fanichet. Above all, it generates substantial savings for the carrier, in the region of several tens of millions of euros each year.
Here too, the SNCF is facing criticism from consumer associations, but it still insists that it applies strict rules to its customers. flexible" conditionsWith a free exchange or refund up to one week before departure. " Much better conditions than with other carriers such as airlines" insisted the CEO of SNCF Voyageurs to justify this measure.
