Should second-hand SNCF rails be freely accessible?

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GILE Michel / SIPA

European alternative operators demanded on Monday to be able to access second-hand SNCF TGV trainsets, in order to develop a competing offer, if the latter were to obtain state aid for its subsidiary Eurostar.

The CEO of the French railway company, Jean-Pierre Farandou, estimated last week that the cross-Channel operator, 55% owned by SNCF, would need the support of France and the United Kingdom in the spring, to overcome cash flow problems caused by the pandemic and the collapse in passenger traffic, in an interview with the

Financial Times

.

Distortion of competition

But a group of European alternative operators, Allrail, denounces a distortion of competition in favor of the French incumbent when the latter is investing large sums in the expansion of its services abroad.

This Brussels-based association - which notably includes the operators Transdev, FlixTrain and Italo as well as the infrastructure manager Getlink (Eurotunnel) - notes that the SNCF has invested 600 million euros to launch its low-cost Ouigo trains. in Spain from May, while Eurostar lost around 585 million euros last year.

"Allrail is in favor of state aid to help Eurostar, but there must be strict remedies on competition. For example, SNCF must give independent operators equal access to its second-hand TGV and Eurostar trainsets, - like those it supplies to its subsidiary Ouigo - on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory commercial terms, "the group said in a statement.

"SNCF must not receive state aid without any conditions in one place and develop without control elsewhere," added the alternative operators.

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