INTERVIEW
A few days before the start of the summer holidays, the train does not really have the coast. Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the SNCF has lost four billion euros, half of which because of the TGV lines. Travelers do not yet seem quite ready to resume transport as before. However, the railway company has taken measures: "The wearing of a mask is compulsory, all trains are cleaned and passengers can benefit from hydroalcoholic gel", recalls Jérôme Laffon, the marketing director of SNCF Voyages, Thursday noon at the microphone Europe 1.
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A flash sale to fill the trains?
Despite everything, the SNCF is drawing up a mixed report for the time being. "We had a gradual restart," admits Jérôme Laffon. Usually 25 million travelers take the train each summer. But this year, SNCF plans to transport only 20 million, almost 20% less than usual. If the rate of bookings accelerates these last days, those which were not made during the confinement at least of May are lost and the SNCF does not manage to catch up.
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For the month of July, the train filling rate is only 50% and only 30% for the least of August. The SNCF therefore multiplies the offers: there are twice as many low-cost tickets as usual and cancellations are free of charge. A "flash sale" operation, which started on Wednesday and ends on Friday, allows travelers to book journeys by Ouigo or TGV from 25 euros and 30 euros. "Our desire to offer the most accessible prices", summarized Jérôme Laffon. To limit breakage, the SNCF is counting on weekends of great departure and on the period from July 14.