TGV Rennes-Paris: SNCF’s tactic to raise its prices

The SNCF benefit card has so far justified its name in terms of two principles: it ensures a 30% reduction on many journeys. And it guarantees limited prices on reservations, especially at the last minute. SNCF calculated these ceilings based on the shortest journey times. For example, the price is €49 for a trip of less than 1h30, TGV or less than 1h30 intersite, €69 for less than 3 hours and €89 for longer journeys.

Apart from that… SNCF has changed its calculation method, and as a result has increased fares by €20 on some lines, as noted by our colleagues at L’Informé. Why this arrangement?

“Average Travel Time”

“Avantage Card ceiling prices are now calculated based on the average travel time observed on non-connected journeys, in accordance with the general conditions of sale, to better reflect the reality of travelers’ travel times,” the company explained. , requested by Le Télégramme. She adds: “In order to respect this principle at the existing 4,000 destinations, SNCF Voyageurs had to adjust the price ceiling on five journeys that did not correspond to the observed average journey times, including Paris Rennes. »

Broad outline

Problem: Main lines are particularly affected. who are usually put forward by SNCF themselves when it comes to trip planning. For example, it is almost impossible to do Rennes Bordeaux without doing Rennes Paris by TGV.

For users, this essentially amounts to an increase, not to mention the price. “The majority of passengers with an Advantage card travel for less than this ceiling price, arriving only when the TGV is in high demand, such as during peak periods,” SNCF argues.

strong demand

Other than that… Rennes Paris TGV is almost all in demand. Another complaint from users, especially of the Rennes Paris line: if the journey time has increased, it is because the line now stops almost regularly in Laval. “At the beginning of the implementation of the high-speed line, we regularly had a direct route in 1 hour 20 minutes. Today, this is almost no longer the case, and the trains are crowded, sometimes with people standing,” explained a regular traveler to Telegram.

1h25

Here again, SNCF denies: “With the exception of OUIGO, eight round trips during the week between Paris and Rennes are in less than 1h30 without stopping at Laval, the current best journey time is 1h25. These optimal travel times are distributed throughout the day, and are particularly popular with our business customers for arrivals at 9:04am and 10:02am in Paris or 8:25am in Rennes…”