Faced with inflation, SNCF tariff strategy complex

The carrier undertakes to freeze the prices of the UAIGO and the first price tickets, as well as to limit to 5 % on average the increase in the TGV.

by Sophie Fay

Faced with energy prices up 180 %, general costs and wages that will also increase, of the order of 6 %, the SNCF estimates that the operating cost of the TGV will Flying 13 % in 2023. What places it in front of a dilemma: should we pass this charge on travelers or take on its margin, even on investments? Because the TGV is the only train that receives no public aid. Its costs are borne entirely by travelers through the ticket office. A big difference with daily trains, TERs, largely subsidized by regions, or with the intercities, partly funded by the State.

Christophe Fanichet, SNCF travelers’ boss, and Alain Krakovitch, that of the TGV, did not have to ask the question for a long time. The Minister for Transport, Clément Beaune, blew them up by requesting the establishment of a price shield, the contours of which he defined: a general increase below inflation (estimated at more than 6 % in October) , with protection for young people.

The result is complicated cuisine. On average, prices will increase by 5 %, explain the leaders of the SNCF. These new prices will apply from January 10. But behind the average, there are several realities.

very in advance

Let’s start with the prices that will not increase at all: this will concern the prices of the OUIGO TGV (one TGV in five) and the first prices on the Inoui TGV, those that we sometimes manage to buy in Taking very much in advance as soon as the places in the trains are open for sale. The price of the Advantage card also remains unchanged: 4 million people bought this card which, for 49 euros per year, gives the right to a reduction of 30 % on certain tickets and 60 % for children. She is even currently on promotion at 28 euros until November 28.

When he arrived at the presidency of the SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou has established price ceilings for tickets purchased with this card: 39 euros for journeys less than an hour and a half, 59 euros for travel In addition to a 1:30 a.m. and three hours, 79 euros beyond. They do not change, but are only guaranteed until September 2023. The price of TGV Max Junior and Senior subscriptions – which allow you to travel in TGV as much as we want, within the limits of available places – will also be unchanged at 79 euros per month.

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/Media reports cited above.