Attendance on SNCF trains rebounded in 2021, with an increase of 23% compared to 2020, but it remains 29% lower than in 2019 before the health crisis, SNCF Voyageurs CEO Christophe Fanichet said on Friday.
"
The year 2021 was contrasting
", "
an
'
on/off
' year", summed up Christophe Fanichet to journalists.
Read alsoAir France, SNCF and RATP ready for the Omicron variant
“
When the health constraints are weak (…), the travelers are there. And as soon as the sanitary constraints are present, the travelers are much less numerous, or even disappear.
“These variations are “
extremely rapid
”, he explained, seeing in the periods of “
we
” (without too many health alerts) an “
appetite for mobility of the French
”.
In detail, the 23% increase in passenger traffic is reflected in increases of 21% in the Paris suburbs (Transilien), 23% for the TER and 37% for the main lines (TGV, Ouigo and Intercités; Thalys and Eurostar excluded).
Compared to 2019 - a year that ended with a big strike - the drop is 34%, 20% and 21% respectively.
If the Ouigo low-cost TGVs are on the rise, a third of the “
pro
” (business trips) have not returned to first class.
The regularity has improved on all the trains, also noticed the CEO.
Reservations down 20% for February holidays
For 2022, Christophe Fanichet says he is "
confident
", even if he recognizes that "
we have to be careful
". The Omicron variant had no effect on traffic during the Christmas holidays, but reservations have fallen by 30% since the start of the school year in January - and by 50% for "
pro
" -, with a rate of TGV occupancy currently around 50%.
Bookings for the February holidays are 20% lower than normal, according to Christophe Fanichet.
The SNCF has therefore canceled 10% of the TGVs and 20% of the Intercités.
"
We will increase or decrease our transportation plans
" depending on the intensity of the Covid-19 wave, he said.
He says in this regard that he has "
no warning
" about the impact of Omicron on the availability of railway workers.
Read alsoThe SNCF launches the sale of tickets for the spring
“
Our two mantras are to continue to make things cheaper and simpler
,” underlined Christophe Fanichet.
To make it "
cheaper
", the SNCF wants to continue with its policy of "
barrel prices
" with flash sales, the development of its loyalty cards and the establishment of a "
TGV Max Senior
" subscription formula.
As for simplicity, the company plans to launch its unique SNCF Connect application on January 25.
She will work on "
irritants
" such as the fluidity of connecting journeys or ticket exchange and refund systems, promised Christophe Fanichet.
