The Paris-Lyon TGV line is one of SNCF's historic routes, and is still the focus of the rail carrier's attention. At the heart of its traffic and above all of the revenues of the Voyages SNCF branch, it currently represents 24 daily return TGV services (including two OUIGO services), compared with 13 when the line was inaugurated by President François Mitterrand in September 1981. One billion passengers have been carried on the line in 40 years.
The expected arrival of a challenger following the opening up to competition, in this case Trenitalia by the end of 2021However, the SNCF has been preparing for this threat for years. " Our ambition is to remain at the cutting edge of innovation and sustainability to win over more and more customers." insisted Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, at yesterday's presentation of the Riposte" project. A strengthened service offering has been put in place on the Paris-Lyon route in general and for business customers in particular, who account for more than a third of traffic. While its impact is positive, it would then be deployed on the other Inoui TGV routes where Business Première is present. Marseille, Bordeaux and Strasbourg have been mentioned.
A new passenger lounge at Paris-Lyon station
Complete with exclusive services, the journey of the Pro passenger can begin at Paris-Lyon station in the new Grand Voyageurs lounge, which is now located at the entrance to the fresco room, between the two halls. Welcomed by a dedicated host, an area has been set aside for the afternoon. for Business 1st customers who wish to work before their train, have a drink or consult newspapers in free access. They are then given fast track access through the controls to the platform, where an agent greets them in front of the Business Première carriage.
Gone is the little trolley with its welcome drink on the platform
The big novelty is that it takes place on board with the service instead of a snack adapted to the time of travel, with snacks in the morning and at lunchtime, and a drink and a snack such as crisps, crackers or cashew nuts in the evening. The latter benefits from the new dishes created by chefs Alexia Duchêne and Nina Métayer, which are now available at the bar on all Inoui TGV trains. " This catering offer, included in the ticket price, is a key differentiator." says Jean Rouche, Director of the TGV Sud-Est axis at SNCF.
Tested last June, this service received good feedback from the Business 1ère customers who acted as 'guinea pigs'. " They were pleasantly surprised by the a rise in standard that is closer to air travel" says Alain Krakovitch, Director of Voyages SNCF. He added: " The offer, with the equivalent of three classes of travel, is now similar to what we are already doing in our international subsidiaries, Thalys, Lyria and Eurostar. There is a certain consistency" .
During the journey, the TGV Inoui wifi portal allows you to consult the press and multimedia contentYou can also book a taxi or VTC on arrival, and order additional catering. " Travellers can get on with their work, as they don't have to travel or queue at the bar, as the food is delivered by the Business Première host." explains Jean Rouche. Another new feature of the portal is that passengers can contact the purser directly if necessary.
Lyon residents discover the comfort of the Atlantique trains
Between now and early 2022, the Paris-Lyon route will benefit from the gradual introduction of 17 new or renovated trains. With greater capacity, they will 556 seatscompared with 510 previously, thanks to the elimination of almost half of the square spaces in both 2nd and 1st class. This redesign has made it possible to add 4 disabled seats in 1st class. Business passengers travelling in 1st class or Business 1st will not feel out of place, as they will find the same comfortable and well-equipped seats on board as those offered since 2017 on the TGV Atlantique service. Passengers in second class have not been forgotten either, as they will benefit from a brighter, more comfortable environment. the addition of a USB port and a reading light.
Prices are as follows 142 one-way in Business PremièreFor Pro customers with a Liberté card, it is €78 for 1st year classic (€56 for 2nd year classic) and a maximum of €59 for 2nd year classic with the Avantage card. It also comes to €343 per month with annual teleworking packageThat's €17 if the passenger makes 250 journeys a year. " Travelling at the Business Première fare offers maximum flexibility, allowing passengers to reposition themselves on any train, even if it is fully booked." says Alain Krakovitch.
SNCF calm in the face of the announced arrival of TrenitaliaThe Director of Voyages SNCF is not in fact not worried about opening up to competition marked by the planned arrival of Trenitalia on its most profitable route. Trenitalia's Italian counterpart is set to embark on the adventure with five daily Paris-Lyon-Milan round trips on its high-speed Frecciarossa train, the "red arrow". " We believe this will increase the size of the pie. More customers will take the train" he assures us. And he points to the 30 % increase in TGV traffic generated by Ouigo since its creation. Not forgetting the example of Spain, where SNCF has stepped on Renfe's toes with its low-cost Ouigo offer. offered since last May on the Madrid-Barcelona route. " Overall traffic has increased by 17 % on this line, where SNCF already has a 37 % market share, in just a few months." concluded the executive. For the moment, Trenitalia has not announced when its service will open, nor has it begun marketing its tickets. |
