SNCF allow booking during engineering

THE SNCF is to launch a service which will let passengers book tickets on trains, without knowing when they will leave.

The idea is to free up more early places on lines where engineering work it taking place.

Normally such services would not be open for reservation until just a few weeks in advance, when the timetable was known.

However, this summer the SNCF will allow reservations on such trains from its usual period of three months in advance – the catch being people will only discover their departure time a week before the train leaves.

This could be up to an hour's variation for night trains, or 15 minutes for other services, but will make no difference to the cost of the ticket.

Travellers will be told the exact departure date by mail or telephone, seven days ahead of departure.

Photo: Sebastian Terfloth