SNCF prepares to cut TGV costs to beat rivals

Running costs on TGV trains are to be reduced by up to 30% and fares cut.

SNCF Voyages head Rachel Picard said more intensive usage would see trains in action 13 hours a day like SNCF’s low-cost Ouigo service rather than the present 7-8 hours.

Increasing trains’ productivity by using them more, running from earlier in the day, and doing maintenance at night would allow it to scrap older TGVs, going from 400 to 300, and help target airline, coach and ride-sharing rivals. Ms Picard said: “Less rolling stock means less investment and lower maintenance cost.”

New timetables would be brought in and she warned that some services and stations would be affected.