Latest news with #ChristopheFanichet
Local France
13-06-2025
- Business
- Local France
'Rail golden age' - More and more people take French trains (despite strike threats)
If you were to pay even the slightest attention to the news in France you'd probably reach the fairly rapid conclusion that SNCF and strikes go together like love and marriage. Or, for the more cynical out there, a horse and carriage. Earlier this month, French union Sud-Rail announced it had filed a summer-long strike notice beginning on Thursday, June 12th, at 7pm, which will last until Monday, September 1st, at 8am, allowing them to walk out with minimal notice at any time over that period. This latest threat followed strikes in May and December . And it's not like the last 12 months are an anomaly - France has in fact seen at least one rail strike every year since 1947 (and probably longer, but records only go back that far). Advertisement You might imagine, then, given all the inevitable disruption caused by repeated walkouts, that rail operator SNCF would find it difficult to attract customers to use its services. But you would be wrong. In February, SNCF confirmed it had carried nearly 130 million passengers in 2024, breaking a record of 122 million set the previous year. In fact, passenger numbers in 2024 were up four percent year on year, and were 11 percent higher than 2019 – a pre-pandemic year used as a reference for this decade to judge the current success of rail services. The group also reported a net profit of €1.6 billion last year – the fourth consecutive year it has ended up with a positive balance sheet. In 2022, it recorded record annual profits of €2.2billion. 'We are truly in the golden age of the train. We are building a virtuous circle for rail travel,' said SNCF Voyageurs' CEO Christophe Fanichet told journalists. 'This is a sustainable trend,' he said. Full trains One in three TGV trains runs full - according to Fanichet - while the low-cost Ouigo TGV services were full 60 percent of the time. French trains must be booked in advance, and on the high-speed TGV and Intercité services a booking automatically generates a seat reservation. The plus side of this is that you can be sure of a seat and won't be forced to spend the journey standing in the corridor outside the toilets, the down-side is that when trains are full they stop ticket sales - meaning that last-minute travel is often not possible. On the local TER services and suburban routes such as the greater Paris Transilien seat reservations are not taken, meaning that you might end up standing (but you can make a last-minute journey). Advertisement Overall SNCF reported that – with 364 trains available – it struggled to meet demand for TGV services in 2024. READ ALSO MAP: Where high-speed trains can take you in France It has ordered 115 new generation TGV M trains to augment its current fleet, but the first of those will not enter service until 2026. Integrating more Ouigo services, however, partly offset the problem, SNCF has said. 'Last year, for the summer, we added half a million seats, and we will continue to increase performance – that is, make trains run more,' Fanichet said. Last year, 38 Ouigo trains were operational - this number will rise to 50 by 2027. Ouigo trains run on the same routes as the TGV Inoui trains but are cheaper and offer a slightly more basic experience (no buffet car or onboard wifi, limitations on luggage). High speed versus low speed And it's not just the high-speed TGV services that are holding up the numbers. Local TER services across the country saw a 10 percent increase in passengers in 2024, Transilien travellers in the Ile-de-France region rose eight percent, and seven percent more people took an Intercité service last year than in 2023. Advertisement Night trains are part of the Intercité network, and these broke the one-million passenger barrier for the first time in 2024, as SNCF adds more routes and works on adding extra international links. France's local train TER network, which makes up around nine tenths of the total rail lines, is often described as the 'cinderella' service compared to the TGVs - underfunded, scarce, creaky, less reliable and more likely to see trains cancelled during a strike. However despite their problems TER services have seen a rapid increase in passenger numbers. In 2023, TER services welcomed 21 percent more passengers than in 2022, while it was reported that travellers on local rail services in Occitanie alone had jumped 40 percent in four years. Advertisement That's not to say that everything is perfect, there are still numerous rail issues in France. Regional president for Occitanie Carole Delga this week revealed plans to keep trains running on threatened lines in the region, for example, while one département is eagerly awaiting its first passenger service in more than 50 years. READ ALSO Could France's 'forgotten département' see the return of train services? But, if the numbers are anything to go by – can nearly 130 million people be wrong? – there's little sign of that the current popularity of rail travel is going to fade away soon. And the threat of strikes certainly don't seem to be putting off passengers.
Local France
05-05-2025
- Local France
French rail bosses say trains 'will circulate' during May strike week
Rail unions representing train drivers, conductors and technicians have issued overlapping strike notices for the period from Monday, May 5th to Sunday, May 11th - targeting the holiday weekend around VE Day. They are aiming for maximum disruption and a 'black week' on the railways as negotiations over pay and working conditions have broken down. Latest: What to expect from this week's French rail strikes However SNCF boss Christophe Fanichet said: "We are far from a black week", adding that the high-speed TGV services should run as normal. Detailed strike timetables are produced 48 hours in advance, but SNCF says that the high-speed TGV InOui and Ouigo services will run as normal from Monday to Thursday. It is expected that they will also be normal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but more details will be available nearer the time. Fanichet added: "Even though staff can declare themselves on strike just 48 hours in advance, we have the experience to build transport plans taking into account the current level of strike support and projections for the days ahead.' The disruption will be concentrated on local TER services and the Paris region's RER and Transilien trains. Advertisement The regions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, Hauts-de-France, Normandie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur have all reported some level of disruption on local TER trains. In most cases this involves a reduced service, for example half or one third of the normal level of service. The most heavily impacted is the greater Paris region of Île-de-France where 'severe' disruption is expected on Monday on the RER and Transilien services - including RER B which links Paris to its two airports. The Paris Metro, bus and tram services will be unaffected, as their staff are not involved in the dispute.
Local France
15-04-2025
- Business
- Local France
EXPLAINED: The Spring rail strikes that could hit train services in France
On Friday, April 11th, a second French rail union threatened strike action in the month of May, as rail unions continue negotiations with management at France's national rail operator SNCF. This came after a rail union already filed a strike notice to begin industrial action from April 17th. So what exactly are French rail unions threatening over the coming the weeks and what kind of disruption to train services could there be? Here are the latest details. When could there be strikes? The gist is that two French rail unions so far - Sud-Rail and CGT Chéminots - have threatened strike action in the coming weeks. From April 17th - The Sud-Rail union's original strike notice ( préavis de grève ) covered weekends over the period of April 17th to June 2nd, according to France Bleu. The union specified that they could call strike action anytime after 7pm each Thursday to 8am the following Monday during the strike notice period, meaning the earliest hypothetical strike action could be over Easter weekend. However, Sud-Rail has thus far focused its efforts on the month of May, and it has not made any mentions (at the time of writing) about strike action over the Easter holiday weekend. Nevertheless, it remains possible. Advertisement From May 5th - A second French union representing rail workers, CGT Chéminots, has also called for rail workers - including both ticket inspectors and train drivers - to begin walkouts starting on Monday, May 5th. They have not specified an end-date. As for Sud-Rail, the union has filed some additional strike notices during this period. The first is from Tuesday, May 6th at 7pm to Thursday, May 8th at 8am. The union is calling for equipment workers ( les agents du Matériel ) to take part in a massive 'black' strike across the country. For Wednesday, May 7th , a day that is expected to see heavy rail traffic as people make their getaway for the Thursday public holiday and the long weekend, Sud-Rail is currently calling for train drivers (ADCs, agents de conduite ) to walk out. For May 9th, 10th and 11th , Sud-Rail is separately calling for ticket inspectors and other rail personnel ( controleurs ) to strike. When are the French public holidays? As well as Easter weekend when Monday April 21st is a day off in France, there are three bank holidays during the month of May - Thursday, May 1st (May Day); Thursday, May 8th (VE Day); Thursday, May 29th (Ascension). Many people use these as an opportunity to 'faire le pont' and take a long weekend trip including the Friday, so it is a busy travel period. Advertisement How likely are strikes? As things stand, the French press has reported that unions are still negotiating with SNCF management, which means an agreement could be reached and the strikes could be called off. SNCF Voyageurs CEO Christophe Fanichet told France Inter last week that "We have made some very concrete progress (...) and I am very confident that this social dialogue will enable all French people to travel with peace of mind in the coming weeks." That said, if an agreement is not reached, the week of VE Day (May 8th) could involve significant travel disruption, with both unions planning strike action simultaneously. How disruptive could the strikes be? As with all French rail strikes, the exact level of disruption is unclear at this stage. A detailed strike timetable is usually released 48 hours in advance of each strike day on the SNCF-Connect website. Any disruption would affect French national rail services, but not Eurostar routes. City public transport, as things stand, would not be unaffected. As of 2024, according to BFMTV , CGT Chéminots is the largest union representing train drivers, followed by UNSA in second place and Sud-Rail in third place. As such, if both unions call workers to walk out at the same time, strikes could be quite disruptive. What are unions protesting? Broadly, the dispute is linked to pay negotiations, working conditions, and unstable schedules. Sud-Rail is calling for an end to last-minute schedule changes, as well as salary and bonus increases. As for CGT Chéminots, the union is calling for an increase and overhaul of the 'traction' bonus for train drivers, as well as a work bonus for ticket inspectors. The union has also pushed back against the new tools required of ticket inspectors.
CNN
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
France unveils ‘incredible' new high-speed TGV trains with double-decker dining car
France's national railway operator has unveiled its next-generation high-speed trains, equipped with stylish interiors that are already causing a stir online. Branded INOUI (a play on the French word 'inouï,' meaning unprecedented or incredible), these will be the fifth generation of the country's TGV intercity service that has been at the forefront of high-speed rail travel since their launch nearly 45 years ago. After undergoing more than a million kilometers (over 620,000 miles) of test journeys, the new trains — manufactured entirely in France — were unveiled earlier this month by SNCF Voyageurs, the French national passenger rail operator, and manufacturer Alstom. '45 years after the first TGV, we're going to revolutionize high-speed travel once again,' Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said in a press statement. The trains, which will travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometers an hour (nearly 200 mph) caused a stir online, with social media users praising the new designs. as 'incredible.' 'There's just something about these 70s space age vibes that make it feel modern and retro at the same time,' Jan Buis, who posts about technology and design, wrote on X. The first- and second-class carriages feature light interiors, complemented by statement yellow lamps. Table lamps have long been a staple on TGVs and the new generation are meant to look 'as round as the seats' while adding a touch of 'bright colour' and humor, according to SNCF's statement. The overall look of the project is the result of a collaboration between French engineering consultancy AREP and Japanese design agency NENDO. Comfort is the central theme, AREP said in a press release. 'The idea was to take a fresh look, to introduce a lasting break in the railway world and to re-enchant a technical and industrial environment,' it said, adding that the interiors are intended to provide a 'more personal bubble of comfort in a shared space.' France's famed cuisine and quality local ingredients will be showcased on the train's 'centrepiece' — a dining car spanning two floors. Passengers will be able to buy self-service items in the downstairs area, while the upstairs will be home to a 'convivial bistro' featuring seasonal French dishes and wines. For the first time in TGV's history, the entire train crew was involved in the design process, according to the press statement. Conductors, drivers and maintenance workers advised on designing layouts better suited to their daily tasks. The drivers used virtual reality technology to experience and choose between three different cab environments. Thoughtful design extends beyond the needs of those working on the train. Microwaves, extra changing tables and relaxation areas have been added to help families travelling with children. A new car has also been designed for wheelchair users, making it possible for them to board the train independently and order food to their seats. Journeys will start on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille line in 2026, taking travelers from the capital to the south coast in three hours.
CNN
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
France unveils ‘incredible' new high-speed TGV trains with double-decker dining car
France's national railway operator has unveiled its next-generation high-speed trains, equipped with stylish interiors that are already causing a stir online. Branded INOUI (a play on the French word 'inouï,' meaning unprecedented or incredible), these will be the fifth generation of the country's TGV intercity service that has been at the forefront of high-speed rail travel since their launch nearly 45 years ago. After undergoing more than a million kilometers (over 620,000 miles) of test journeys, the new trains — manufactured entirely in France — were unveiled earlier this month by SNCF Voyageurs, the French national passenger rail operator, and manufacturer Alstom. '45 years after the first TGV, we're going to revolutionize high-speed travel once again,' Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said in a press statement. The trains, which will travel at speeds of up to 320 kilometers an hour (nearly 200 mph) caused a stir online, with social media users praising the new designs. as 'incredible.' 'There's just something about these 70s space age vibes that make it feel modern and retro at the same time,' Jan Buis, who posts about technology and design, wrote on X. The first- and second-class carriages feature light interiors, complemented by statement yellow lamps. Table lamps have long been a staple on TGVs and the new generation are meant to look 'as round as the seats' while adding a touch of 'bright colour' and humor, according to SNCF's statement. The overall look of the project is the result of a collaboration between French engineering consultancy AREP and Japanese design agency NENDO. Comfort is the central theme, AREP said in a press release. 'The idea was to take a fresh look, to introduce a lasting break in the railway world and to re-enchant a technical and industrial environment,' it said, adding that the interiors are intended to provide a 'more personal bubble of comfort in a shared space.' France's famed cuisine and quality local ingredients will be showcased on the train's 'centrepiece' — a dining car spanning two floors. Passengers will be able to buy self-service items in the downstairs area, while the upstairs will be home to a 'convivial bistro' featuring seasonal French dishes and wines. For the first time in TGV's history, the entire train crew was involved in the design process, according to the press statement. Conductors, drivers and maintenance workers advised on designing layouts better suited to their daily tasks. The drivers used virtual reality technology to experience and choose between three different cab environments. Thoughtful design extends beyond the needs of those working on the train. Microwaves, extra changing tables and relaxation areas have been added to help families travelling with children. A new car has also been designed for wheelchair users, making it possible for them to board the train independently and order food to their seats. Journeys will start on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille line in 2026, taking travelers from the capital to the south coast in three hours.
