Railway Industry in France

TGV 1

1. Industry Overview:

In France, one of the most popular transport modes is train.  SNCF is France’s national railway, providing high speed, overnight and local services in France and beyond into Spain, Switzerland and Italy.

>> http://www.tgv-europe.com/en

Types of Train in France:

01-TGV

02-Lunea

03-Teoz

04-TER

06-Intercites

Railway industry is quite similar to airline industry, as it sells seats for a transport from an origin to a destination. The price depends on journey, class, and date of booking. Thus, railway industry can be placed in Quadrant 2, where its service has variable prices for a predictable duration. This industry also has the appropriate characteristics to apply revenue management strategies. Those characteristics are:

– Inflexible capacity: the number of seats on a train is fixed

– Variable and uncertain demand: the demand is different depending on the time of day, day of week, origin-destination pairs, and purpose of travel

– Perishable inventory: the unoccupied seat cannot be inventoried, and the revenue of that seat is missed

– Low marginal cost and high production cost

– Product can be sold in advance

– Heterogeneous customers with different segments, varying by age, purpose of travel, independent or group, etc.

However, there are some differences that make the revenue management of railway industry is little bit different than that of airline industry.

More difficult to forecast demand and to have the accurate number of travelers on a service: no check-in procedure, open tickets (rail pass) generally allow passengers to travel on any rail service, walk up tickets are very common (a large number of passengers purchase their tickets on the day from the station)

Less difficult to deal with overbooking: passengers are often allowed to stand during train journeys hence increasing capacity beyond the number of seats

———

 2. Space

Railway industry defines space implicitly.

Normally, a train has two classes: Economy (2nd Class) and Comfort (1st Class). The seating options and services are different for each class. The price is same for different seating options in a class.

 Economy Class:
01-Class2
 Comfort Class:

01-Class 1

Trains, especially TGV has “TGV bar”, which provides a wide selection of meals and sweet snacks available for purchase. Additionally, the TGV bar offers films on DVD, magazines, games for children, Paris Metro tickets, even USB sticks for purchase. There is also a rolling snack cart that comes to the customers’ seats.

01-TGV Bar

For additional revenue, TGV offers Premium service includes 1st Class seat, meal service, and access to the TGV lounge at the train stations.

Personally, I would charge difference fares for different seating options in each class. A group will want to pay more to have a Club 4 seat. A couple will want the Duo seat or Club 2 seat. And an individual traveler will want a solo seat. As the number of seat are fixed, we can charge for each option, rather than a “first comes first served” policy.

I’m also thinking about a mini-cinema on train, especially overnight train. Normally, the overnight train have load factor less than 80%, so the train can use one car to transform into a mini-cinema with a projector and a screen. When the train is busy, the car will be transformed in normal guest car again.

——

3. Time

Railway industry defines time implicitly.

Although the duration of a journey is determined, the railway industry sells a journey rather than specifically selling time. In addition, there may be issues that cause the increase/decrease in duration of the journey.

However, the railway industry also tries to sell time explicitly with the Rail pass. With Rail pass, customers can have unlimited travel on the national rail network of France for a fixed number of days. The choices are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9-day pass within a one-month period. Travel days may be used consecutively or non-consecutively.  Thus, the fare becomes rate-per-day, not anymore rate-per-trip.

>> http://www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/france-pass/index.html

The industry can sell time explicitly by providing Rail pass with weekly or monthly unit. However, I think it will not be effective as it makes the demand forecasting much more complicated.  Half-day unit won’t make sense as a trip is normally more than 3 hours.

——–

4. Price

Tickets can be purchased 60 to 120 days in advance depending on the route.

Ticket discounts are based on advance purchase, availability, and certain restrictions. Everyone is eligible to receive discounted fares by purchasing an Economy or Comfort class ticket in advance. Youth and seniors can enjoy specific discounts as well. Discounted tickets are available for youth (under 26 of age), seniors (age 60 and over) and children (generally ages 4-11) but should be verified with each product.

Price at 1 week before departure
01-Price-1st class-10AM-1wk

Price at 2 weeks before departure

01-Price-1st class-10AM-2wk

Price at 3 weeks before departure

01-Price-1st class-10AM-3wk

Price at 4 weeks before departure

01-Price-1st class-10AM-4wk

Normally, prices are reduced for 1or 2 week-advanced purchase, slightly reduced for 3-week-advanced purchased, and stay same for more-than-4-week-advanced purchase.

The physical rate fences are the classes:
01-Booking-Class

 

The non-physical rate fences are age, season ticket, and loyalty

01-Booking-Rate Fences-1

01-Booking-Rate Fences-2

01-Booking-Rate Fences-3

01-Booking-Rate Fences-4

As the rate fences are now already too sophisticated, I would rather consolidate these fences than create new fences to confuse customers.

 

(-Thao Ly)

——–

References:

http://www.raileurope.com

http://www.tgv-europe.com

http://www.sncf.co.uk/

Amstrong and Messneir, 2010. Railway revenue management: Overview and Methods

Schroeder, Braun, and Schnieder. Revenue management in the railway industry

 

207,362 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. I really enjoy simply reading all of your weblogs. Simply wanted to inform you that you have people like me who appreciate your work. Definitely a great post. Hats off to you! The information that you have provided is very helpful. boat furniture

  2. I just thought it may be an idea to post incase anyone else was having problems researching but I am a little unsure if I am allowed to put names and addresses on here. Pkv games

  3. Great comprehend, Useful website, where by done u assembled the important points in this particular inserting? We have received comprehend a few of the particular articles or blog posts along with your website now, as well as I really like seem. Have fun here some type of mil as well as you should support this kind of beneficial perform the job. igamble247

  4. Quality theme, indistinguishable text messaging are almost always Whenever i are ill-informed of provided they are ambitious with the occupation out there. Fbisd skyward

  5. Mmm.. estimable to be here in your report or notify, whatever, I repute I should moreover process strong for my have website want I play some salubrious further updated busy in your location. Pkv games

  6. En matière de formation à la gestion d’entreprise, les options ne manquent pas. Cependant, tous les programmes de formation ne sont pas créés égaux. Startupo est largement reconnu comme le meilleur centre de formation en ligne en France, et pour de bonnes raisons. Notre programme complet couvre tout, de la comptabilité et de la finance au marketing et aux ventes, donnant aux étudiants les compétences et les connaissances dont ils ont besoin pour réussir dans le monde des affaires compétitif d’aujourd’hui. De plus, nos professeurs expérimentés ont une grande expérience du monde réel à partager, garantissant que les étudiants reçoivent les informations les plus récentes et les plus pertinentes possibles. Avec Startupo, vous pouvez être sûr que vous recevez une formation en gestion d’entreprise de la plus haute qualité qui soitformation gestion d’entreprise

  7. Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign. check this

  8. Attractive, post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have liked browsing your blog posts. After all, I will surely subscribe to your feed, and I hope you will write again soon! Dofollow Backlinks

  9. This article was written by a real thinking writer without a doubt. I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer. I’ll be back day in and day for further new updates. Unique Domain

  10. En matière de formation à la gestion d’entreprise, les options ne manquent pas. Cependant, tous les programmes de formation ne sont pas créés égaux. Startupo est largement reconnu comme le meilleur centre de formation en ligne en France, et pour de bonnes raisons. Notre programme complet couvre tout, de la comptabilité et de la finance au marketing et aux ventes, donnant aux étudiants les compétences et les connaissances dont ils ont besoin pour réussir dans le monde des affaires compétitif d’aujourd’hui. De plus, nos professeurs expérimentés ont une grande expérience du monde réel à partager, garantissant que les étudiants reçoivent les informations les plus récentes et les plus pertinentes possibles. Avec Startupo, vous pouvez être sûr que vous recevez une formation en gestion d’entreprise de la plus haute qualité qui soit. formation gestion d’entreprise

  11. Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great article. 918kiss

  12. xslot1688รักษาข้อมูลของลูกค้าเป็นอย่างดี ด้วยระบบที่ดีที่สุด

  13. When you’re ready to have the skin you deserve, call Laser Derm Med Spa (formerly Laser Derm Skin Care Center) in Shawnee, KS. We offer individualized treatments for hair removal in Kansas City with the most advanced technology available to get our clients results they can feel good about. Get unwanted body hair laser removed today.

  14. You have performed a great job on this article. It’s very precise and highly qualitative. You have even managed to make it readable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you so much. sbobetbz888

  15. เล่นที่ไหนก็ไม่ดีเท่าที่นี่ สล็อต ราคาดีที่สุด จ่ายดีที่สุด ฝากถอนอัตโนมัติ ปลอดภัยแน่นอน มีเกมไว้ให้คุณเลือกอีกมากมาย พร้อมทีมงานสาวสวยคอยบริการ

  16. Shadi.com | Best Online Matrimonial site for singles. Meet educated single men and women near your city. Join today register for free
    Shaadi

  17. Extraordinary things you’ve generally imparted to us. Simply continue written work this sort of posts.The time which was squandered in going for educational cost now it can be utilized for studies.Thanks situs slot online

  18. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. Papaz Büyüsü

  19. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. best laptop for writers

  20. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work blonde lace front wig

  21. RTP Slot atau yang biasa disebut bocoran slot gacor.Adalah situs yang menydiakan berbagai bocoran slot terbaru dengan RTP yang sesudai dengan keadaan aslinya.Periu anda, setiap game slot.Pasti memliki jam gacor yang berbada dan setiap game memiliki RTP SLOT yang selalu berubah setiap waklu.

  22. I’m constantly searching on the internet for posts that will help me. Too much is clearly to learn about this. I believe you created good quality items in Functions also. Keep working, congrats! post trade solutions

  23. Our Las Vegas Party Bus chauffeurs can pick you and your group from McCarran International Airport or from any of the casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, Downtown Las Vegas, the City of Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas including Jean and Primm, Nevada. Below are just some of the major Las Vegas, Nevada casinos that we provide pick-up and drop-off transportation services to in Clark County, Nevada. 

  24. Arredamento Nobili Design

    Discover Italian furniture for furnishing any home recommended by Nobili Design Italy. Complete collections from the living room to the bedroom, every room needs an adapted design and furniture from top brands through Nobili-Design.it. Choose to order home furniture from established Italian craftsmen.

  25. Thanks for an interesting blog. What else may I get that sort of info written in such a perfect approach? I have an undertaking that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the lookout for such info. BSG Game Help

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *