The magazine 60 million consumers denounces the " opacity " and " the big gap in fares " of the main lines (TGV and Intercités) of the SNCF in its March issue published on Thursday, noting that booking in advance is not always pay for major departures. " On the main lines, the rates are still considered opaque, " regretted Thursday Florent Pommier, the co-author of the study conducted by the magazine. " This opacity is a bit consubstantial with 'yield management' ", the system of managing tariffs according to supply and demand long adopted by SNCF for main lines, he added to journalists. 60 million consumers, which depends on the National Institute of consumption, tested on 35 journeys in 2nd class between major cities the prices offered on the site oui.sncf, in both directions, on ten different dates: five trips during the week and five weekend departures (Friday evening, except Thursday, May 7), between 15 days and 4 months in advance. In total, the study, carried out on January 8 and 9, concerns the prices of 2,859 trains.
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Among the " yoyo " of the prices recorded, the most significant differences concern a journey between Paris and Aix-en-Provence, from 10 euros - for an Ouigo, departing from Marne-la-Vallée - to 116 euros, the average being 47 euros during the week and 81 euros for a weekend departure. Anticipating your purchase to benefit from the most advantageous rates " is not always enough ", according to Florent Pommier. As of the opening of the reservation, almost all the tickets were sold at the maximum price for a departure on the evening of May 7, bridge watch on May 8. " We are at a high price when the traveler is the most captive, " he regretted. On average, the prices collected are between 50 and 55% of the price ceiling approved by the State, the palm going to the Paris-Lyon journey where tickets reached 74% (with an average price of 71.32 euros, the maximum being 97 euros).
The review - which had awarded in January the " golden cactus " to the SNCF for its delays, ATM closures and less and less advantageous cards - invites to " properly assess the constraints " of Ouigo, a cheaper service but much less flexible. It also denounces the maquis of reduction cards, which are no longer accepted on all regional trains.
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