New coach links to rival SNCF
Eurolines begins domestic coach links between Paris and cities in the north and west of France
COACH operator Eurolines has opened a number of regional routes within France for the first time, offering a new alternative to rail travel between some French cities.
The service is being tested out between Paris and Caen, Rouen, Nantes, Rennes and Angers and could be extended elsewhere if successful.
Booked well in advance, ticket prices appear to be less than half that charged by the SNCF, but journey times are considerably longer.
Single tickets on the Rouen-Paris route start at €8 for a 2hr15 journey, compared with €21 and 1hr15 by train.
Nantes and Rennes are 6hr15 from Paris and start at €22, while the train takes 2hr15 and costs €58.
The new service is possible because of a law that came into force this year allowing international coach operators to pick up domestic passengers along part of their existing routes.
The only conditions are that these France-only journeys do not account for more than half of ticket sales, and that the regional councils are informed before the service launches and do not object.
Eurolines says its international coaches are typically 60-70% full and the new low-cost operation will allow it to sell empty seats.
Photo:sludgegulper/Flickr
