In the summer of 2019, no less than 26 million French people took the train, in particular to go to their vacation spot. If the coronavirus crisis has inevitably changed the situation for this summer at SNCF, train travel is still popular, at a time when tourism is done more within our borders. Some French people will therefore experience train delays. Lawyer Roland Pérez, in his Saturday column on Europe 1, gives them the keys to knowing the terms of reimbursement and compensation.
Those who know in detail the compensation provided in the event of delayed trains are not numerous. This compensation is provided for by European regulation. All mainline trains are concerned: TGV, Intercités, IDTGV, Ouigo, Eurostar, Thalys.
Compensation depending on the extent of the delay
The minimum compensation varies depending on the extent of the delay. It is 25% of the ticket price in the event of a delay between 50 and 119 minutes; 50% of the ticket price in the event of a delay of 120 minutes or more. There may be more favorable rules. For TGV and Intercity trains, between 30 minutes late and 1h59, the traveler will be entitled to 25% of the ticket price in the form of a voucher to be used on a future ticket or by bank transfer, if the delay is between 1 hour and 1:59 am.
Between 2 am and 2:59 am, it is a question of 50% of the price of the ticket in voucher or transfer. In the event of a delay of more than 3 hours, which unfortunately can happen, the compensation corresponds to 75% of the ticket price, always in voucher or transfer. Compensation is more or less in the same proportions and conditions for other trains or international routes. It is only for TERs that no compensation is provided, except in the event of a very strong disruption and only in the form of a benefit or compensation.
Don't forget the late bulletin
In practice, the easiest way is to make the request online, via a form or by mail, recalling the file reference, which corresponds to the six letters indicated on the ticket. It is also necessary to mention the date of the trip, the train number, its marital status, the scan of the ticket and the original delay slip, requested by the passenger at the station.
After an hour of delay, travelers could theoretically be entitled to meals and refreshments. If the delay prevents the passenger from taking another train on the same day, accommodation is even possible, at the expense of the SNCF.