The timing is now set. After three years of delay, the launch of the TGV M is entering its final stretch. According to an internal SNCF document that Voyages d’Affaires was able to consult, the first passengers will be able to board this 5-car TGV on Monday, November 9th.th Generation designed by the French manufacturer Alstom. That is 45 years after the first TGV, inaugurated by the newly elected President François Mitterrand on September 22, 1981 on the first high-speed line Paris-Lyon. Business travelers will find their comfort in the TGV M. Optimum (ex-Business Première).
Bringing together the press and guests from SNCF and Alstom, the inaugural journey between Paris and Marseille will take place on November 6 with Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, Jean Castex, the CEO of the SNCF Group, Jean-Aimé Mougenot, the new CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, and Karine Dussert-Sarthe, the new director of TGV-Intercités, on board.
Given the current social context, President Emmanuel Macron, who was once expected to be on the trip, should not be traveling. It should be noted that this inauguration will take place the day after one of the National strike movement Who could be particularly followed within the SNCF because they are supported by the CGT Cheminots, UNSA ferroviaire, Sud Rail and CFDT Cheminots unions. Will they still be heard the next morning during this highly publicized departure from Lyon station?
Advice for teams to ensure the success of this launch
After numerous delays related to technical problems with this TGV, which was presented as revolutionary, the SNCF therefore believes that with this commercial launch, this new rolling stock is now operational to ensure the Paris-Marseille link. It even states in its document that « Animations and surprises will accompany this first week to share this event with [the] travelers ".
However, she acknowledges in this internal document that unforeseen circumstances may still arise. There is a risk of travelers and the media snapping at her in case of a breakdown. « This launch marks the beginning of a gradual deployment in line with the increasing reliability of this new equipment. »Indeed, as SNCF specifies,« to avoid these potential incidents that would no doubt be widely covered and commented on, SNCF Voyageurs is giving its teams some advice to ensure the launch runs as smoothly as possible. And is asking for particular attention in " the preparation of each circulation » of this TGV whose capacity in carriages doubles to 1240 seats «,« in the quality of the welcome »and the attention paid to travelers», but also in its « the ability to react together to the unexpected » We hope for the least possible disruption after three years of testing and hundreds of thousands of kilometers driven by the first units delivered under all conditions.
