The average train fare According to a document published by the Transport Regulatory Authority (ART) on Thursday, top speeds increased by 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, which is more than inflation, but “remains below the 2019 level in real terms”.
Train prices TGV or Intercités, “fell sharply by the health crisis, thus maturing,” ART explains in its annual report. There SNCF In 2023, it promised not to increase its prices by more than 5% on average.
It increased especially for the low-cost Ouigo offer, with an increase of 10% according to ART, while annual inflation was 4.9%.
The institution also noted that the higher the occupancy rate of the trains, the higher the prices, as in June and July, “and lower in January and February.”
Record occupancy rates
In 2023, occupancy rates also reached record levels (77%), especially on high-speed connections. Attendance has increased everywhere, while train deliveries have decreased slightly (-1%) according to ART.
“Rail transport reached a record level in France for the second consecutive year, with 108 billion passenger-kilometres carried (the sector’s reference unit), 6% higher than in 2022.”
But the rail offer is “slightly reduced, particularly due to the social movements of March 2023,” it continues. Without the holidays, “supply would have increased by 2%”, ART emphasizes.
The lack of train supply in France is often highlighted as demand explodes and trains fill up more and more quickly, especially during summer and long weekends.
Shipping is reduced
The train craze was confirmed in 2023 with increased attendance on regional trains (+7%) as well as high-speed trains (+5%). Everywhere, TER and Intercités ridings exceed pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels (+ 21%), except in Ile-de-France, where they remain down 6%.
The success of passenger trains is a European phenomenon, as ridership has increased almost everywhere, with increases of up to 32% in Spain or 15% in the UK.
A dark side remains: the decline in rail freight is even more pronounced in France. The decrease in 2022 was confirmed in 2023 (-17% of transported goods), especially due to strikes against the pension reform and the landslide in the Maurienne valley.
In Europe, the decrease was only 8%. This new drop should worsen the modal share of freight transport in France, which is already low (11%) compared to the European average (17%).