French rail operator SNCF has unveiled a radial shake-up of
TGV, Inoui and Intercités fares in the light of what its CEO calls a double-shock
due to Covid.
Passengers will be able to exchange their tickets or get a refund up to three days before departure to provide more flexibility or can pay a fee to change after that threshold.
Second class fares will now be capped, even for last-minute
bookings on peak days, for members of its Advantage scheme.
The company is also launching a new flexible season ticket valid
for two or three days of remote working a week and simplifying and improving
its loyalty programme, with just two tiers.
The rollout of new fares started on 1 June and will be
completed by the beginning of 2022.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of SNCF, said, “The health crisis
has deeply shaken the economic model of high speed. It generates a double-shock
effect. In the short term, a decrease in leisure demand and very low
anticipation of purchases, but also business travel in marked slowdown.
“In the longer term, a deterioration in the purchasing power
of households which will accentuate the needs of mobility at affordable prices.
In addition, the development of teleworking could promote the emergence of a
new demand for home / work mobility, with multiple round trips weekly.”