While the hypothesis of being able to spend Christmas with the family is more and more likely, the SNCF told the
Parisian
that all of its trains scheduled for the end of the year holidays will run normally.
In order to encourage the French to book their trip, the company is currently offering tickets at low prices.
Read also: The seven lessons to learn from the first deconfinement to avoid the rebound
"
We are all on the bridge so that 100% of the trains traditionally planned for the Christmas holidays can run from mid-December, probably on December 14 or 15
", confides Christophe Fanichet, the boss of SNCF Voyageurs, to
Parisien
.
“
It's even the excitement in our 35 technicentres, where the 12,000 employees dedicated to train maintenance work relentlessly,
” he said.
The speech of the President of the Republic gave hope to the French wishing to escape for the Christmas holidays.
"
If the health objectives are achieved
", the confinement could be lifted on December 15, and "
we will be able to move again without certificate, including between regions, and spend Christmas with the family"
assured Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday evening.
The SNCF will be there for this: a total of 600 TGVs, including the Ouigo, 80 Intercités, 8200 TER and 6200 Transiliens will circulate in France.
Objective: to convince the undecided
To encourage the French to book their ticket, 1.5 million tickets for trips made during school holidays, out of 4.5 million, are subject to a reduction.
As an example, “
a Paris-Bordeaux is now offered at 33 euros for December 24 against around fifty euros usually.
That is a reduction of between 40 and 50%,
”explains Christophe Fanichet to Le
Parisien
.
In addition, all tickets remain exchangeable or refundable, without the need for justification, and this at least until January 4, 2021.
Regarding health rules, SNCF specifies that the protocol in force since the spring remains in force.
Wearing a mask is still compulsory in stations and on trains, which continue to be disinfected every day.
Read also: The boss of the SNCF in permanent crisis management
Even if the railway company has clearly suffered from the health crisis, Christophe Fanichet expressed his optimism: “
Remember this summer, continues the boss of SNCF Voyageurs.
We expected less than 70% of the usual number of travelers during this period, we had more than 85%.
I think we will have a similar enthusiasm for these holidays.
On the condition of course that the sanitary conditions allow it, and depending on certain decisions, such as
the reopening or not of winter sports resorts
. "