The French TGV remains the least expensive in Europe

The French often complain of not understanding much to the evolution of the prices of the TGV. Things are unlikely to be settled. According to our information, the SNCF is in negotiation since a few weeks with the Government, so that it grants him greater freedom for the fixing of rates of its stars trains. "It is a consideration to the establishment of the new tax to finance the deficit interregional lines, the two go together," provides Hervé Mariton, UMP member and special rapporteur for the transportation budget.

Currently, the choice of the public group in this area are hampered by the reference rate fixed each year by the Government: prices can then vary in an interim limited fixed point. The current negotiation must allow to remove a large part of these barriers.

This could result in higher prices for the first classes on certain destinations or by the removal of the distinction between normal and peak. "The French TGV remains the least expensive in Europe." "A rise in the price willing to pay for this service categories is not abnormal," argues a good connoisseur of the folder. Prices would be also asked to vary much more, on the rise as downward. Changes closer the SNCF more airlines, which uses as the "yield management" - a term that refers the modulation of rates on the rate of filling. In 2008, a study of the cabinet of Simon-Kucher & Partners felt that the railway company was less than Air France price, with a more gradual evolution differences. This difference would be to fade.

Some reluctance

However, this negotiation gave rise to some reluctance. "The freedom is a somewhat curious thing in itself, in a period where competition does not really exist." "This requires that all of this box", notes Hervé Mariton. The Government agreed with this view and looks to new limits. Already, the SNCF is committed to provide 50 of Prem's (class of the lowest rates for customers who are most in advance to book). Currently, a traveller on ten has access to these low prices, or about 10 million travellers. Public authorities also would like that the railway company provided a minimum number of places the reference rate. "The client should not be taken in a choice between a Prem's purchased very in advance or a first class which would not correspond to its purchasing power," notes Hervé Mariton. Other support measures are currently in negotiations, while the objective would be to reach a compromise before the end of the year.

The freedom is an imperative for the economic model of the TGV, leaded by the economic crisis and the soaring price of tolls paid to RFF (network Ferré de France) for traffic. It was even part - alongside the development of a low cost - of the strong axes offer new strategy unveiled in early summer ("Les Echos" of July 8). According to our information, the SNCF believes that "this commercial optimization" he would earn an additional turnover of 150 million by 2020. This tariff flexibility is also seen as a weapon against the next arrival of competition.