Another increase of over 2% for trains in France
Pending confirmation, the increase will have to be approved by the Ministry of Transport, but according to BFMTV, the increase in train ticket prices will take place in 2024. BFMTV says the increase should be less than 2.6%. This should allow SNCF to honor its commitment.
The group, which broke passenger transport records in 2023, increased its fares by 5% that year. After 5.2% in 2022, the forecast of 4.9% according to INSEE proved higher than the average inflation in France. But for 2024, SNCF promised to increase less than inflation or at least not.
Will inflation be more than the increase in train fares?
According to forecasts, inflation should be around 2.5% in 2024. Estimates vary by tenths of a point… But between a 10% hike in electricity prices on February 1, 2024 and farmers’ discontent that could lead to stricter measures against large-scale distribution, nothing is certain. Apart from that inflation should really slow down.
Fortunately, not all train tickets are expected to go up. SNCF should reserve the hike for its classic offer, the TGV InOui ticket. Low-cost Ouigo TGVs will survive, as will fares linked to the Avantage card and Intercités trains. A decision taken by the former transport minister, Clément Beaune, who was not reappointed to his position by Gabriel et al.
Why are train ticket prices increasing?
SNCF fare hikes may not please the French, especially since they are encouraged to take the train for ecological reasons. Trains are the least CO2 emitting mode of transport compared to cars and, above all, planes.
But SNCF Voyageurs can hardly do otherwise. The group is seeing an increase in its costs, be it in terms of salaries, energy or work. And, in particular, it is the toll that SNCF Voyageurs pays to SNCF Réseau, the manager of the railway network in France, that is exploding: +8% in 2024. Tolls represent around 40% of the total cost of train travel for SNCF travellers.
