Train fares rise for summer break

TRAIN fares are to rise by an average of 2.5% from Thursday, hitting passengers ahead of next weekend's big summer holiday getaway.

The price hike applies to Corail and Intercités long-distance services and regional TER routes. TGVs are not affected - although their prices went up by 1.9% in January.

The SNCF said the fare rises were necessary to "contribute to the renovation of trains and improve the quality of service".

Discount cards for under-25s, retired people and parents travelling with children will have their prices frozen for the second year running.

Public transport users' body Fnaut said passengers would expect to see a noticeable improvement in services in exchange for the higher fares.

The average rise is 0.9 percentage points above inflation and comes after a 3.4% hike last summer.

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