With teleworking on the rise and companies limiting staff travel because of Covid-19, rail companies are struggling to get business travellers back on their trains. Thalys is no exception to the rule, launching a Corporate offer to attract companies once again. Until 31 Octoberits programme Thalys Corporate Fare is therefore eligible with no entry threshold and no commitment for companies, who will be able to take advantage of fare reductions for one year on three routes of their choice on its European network. These discounts amount to 5% in Standard class, 8% in Comfort class and 10% in Premium class.access to Thalys lounges and a catering service instead. " We have decided to make our BtoB policy for businesses more flexible and broader in order to support our fill rates and the economic recovery. We need companies and they need us" explains Bertrand Gosselinthe new CEO of Thalys. This Corporate programme also provides business travellers with greater flexibility via a access to all trains of the day on the route in question, unlimited ticket exchanges before departure, reimbursement at 100% until the day after the journey and access to lounge areas in Paris-Nord and Brussels-Midi stations.
Registration for Thalys Corporate Fare is designed to be as simple as possible on the Thalys.com website, so that you can take advantage of these fares for one year via a travel agency, an online booking tool (self booking tool) or the portal of a distributor listed by the rail company. " Despite the restrictions imposed by the various countries we pass through, business travel remains authorised. This is why Thalys wants to support companies working with Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany by offering a significant number of frequencies [...] as well as tailor-made fare conditions for companies." adds Bertrand Gosselin.
Since 1 October, Thalys has returned to 40% of its pre-pandemic rail service, with 8 trains running between Brussels and Paris, 5 of which continue to the Netherlands, and 2 daily trains between Paris-Nord station and Germany. " Thalys has resumed its frequencies early in the morning and late in the evening to allow return trips during the day in order to meet the needs of business customers, who need more choice and flexibility." says Bertrand Gosselin. However, this programme is lower than that announced a few weeks ago, proof that traffic, both leisure and business, is still below what Thalys had hoped for this autumn. This is due to the resurgence of the coronavirus epidemic in Europe.
