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

 

164,608 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback. ALL DAY SLIMMING TEA

  2. I was reading your article and wondered if you had considered creating an ebook on this subject.Your writing would sell it fast.You have a lot of writing talent. primary

  3. It should be noted that whilst ordering papers for sale at paper writing service, you can get unkind attitude. In case you feel that the bureau is trying to cheat you, don’t buy term paper from it. emerges

  4. I really got into this article. I found it to be interesting and loaded with unique points of interest. I like to read material that makes me think. Thank you for writing this great content. GLUCOBERRY

  5. Thanks for providing this information. This is a great and useful article for everyone.
    I am also a professional academic writer and I provide services that can supplement your daily income in an easy way.
    Visit our official site for further information: bandarqq terpercaya

  6. magnetic bracelets are a type of jewelry that have magnetic properties and are believed to provide therapeutic benefits.These bracelets are made with magnets that are believed to improve blood circulation and reduce pain in the body

  7. What Is Ways To Build Muscle Faster, focus on progressive overload by gradually increasing the weight, reps, or intensity of your workouts. Follow a well-balanced diet that includes sufficient protein for muscle repair and growth. Prioritize compound exercises like squats and deadlifts, and ensure adequate rest and recovery to optimize muscle development.
    fitness,gym,workout,strength training

  8. Bolu haber, Bolu ilindeki yerel haberleri ve gelişmeleri okuyucularıyla buluşturmayı amaçlayan bir web tabanlı haber platformudur. Site, geniş bir haber ağıyla çalışarak, siyaset, ekonomi, kültür, spor, sağlık, eğitim ve daha birçok alanda güncel haberlere yer vermektedir. Bu sayede, Bolu’da yaşayanlar ve Bolu ile ilgilenenler, şehirdeki önemli gelişmeleri anında takip edebilmektedir.

    Bolu Haber, kullanıcı dostu arayüzü ve kolay navigasyonuyla dikkat çekmektedir. Site, ziyaretçilere hızlı ve etkili bir şekilde istedikleri haberlere ulaşma imkanı sunmaktadır. Ana sayfada en son güncellenen haberler başlıkları yer alırken, menüler aracılığıyla kategoriye göre haberlere erişmek mümkündür. Ayrıca, site kullanıcılarına yorum yapma ve haberleri sosyal medya üzerinden paylaşma imkanı da sunmaktadır, böylece okuyucular arasında etkileşim sağlanmaktadır

    Referans : https://www.geredemedyatakip.com.tr/

  9. Seeking ufabet wallet a gaming experience that will leave you breathless? Join me on this direct website, the unrivaled champion in the gaming universe, and invite your friends to join the epic adventure.

  10. Looking https://slotauto-wallet.net/ for a gaming paradise that offers unparalleled excitement? Join me on this direct website, the unrivaled haven for gamers, and invite your friends to experience gaming utopia.

  11. I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. 新樓設計

  12. For those with dry or dehydrated skin, a moisturizing formula of Knight Rider Cream would be ideal. knight rider cream video These formulas are enriched with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to provide intense moisture and nourishment to the skin.

  13. 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
    The Presidential race in Turkey

  14. This is extremely fascinating substance! I have completely delighted in perusing your focuses and have reached the conclusion that you are right about a hefty portion of them. You are extraordinary. 
    The Presidential race in Turkey

  15. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work
    The Presidential race in Turkey

  16. قالب خاص بتن
    انواع قالب خاص بتن
    خرید قالب خاص بتن
    قیمت قالب خاص بتن
    قالب خاص بدن ساختمان
    Hyperlink

  17. Situs Slot gacor sultanking ini menawarkan berbagai permainan slot online yang menarik dan berkesempatan untuk meraih kemenangan besar. Kami memiliki reputasi sebagai situs terpercaya dengan layanan pelanggan yang luar biasa. Dengan menggabungkan pengalaman bermain yang menghibur dengan keamanan dan kepercayaan, Sultanking telah menjadi pilihan utama bagi para penggemar judi slot online. Pastikan anda login menggunakan link resmi atau link alternatif Sultanking, Situs slot gacor sultanking dirancang untuk memberikan informasi terbaru tentang promosi terbaru dan mengunjungi tautan situs slot gacor terbaru untuk bermain game di situs sultanking.

    Daftar sekarang dan dapatkan promosi dan bonus terbaik dari sultanking link. Promosi deposit pulsa tanpa potongan terbaru siap membantu Anda mempercepat kemenangan di ratusan permainan yang tersedia! Raih kesempatan untuk memenangkan 500x lipat dari taruhan Anda dengan bermain Gacor Online Slots bersama agen situs judi slot online terpercaya di Indonesia.

    Klik link ini : https://alternatifsultanking.com/

  18. Certified Specialist in Periodontics. Dr. Mansur Roy has taken extensive post graduate training in Periodontics, Dental Implants and sedation. He is also certified by the College of BC to perform intravenous conscious sedation. Abbotsford

Leave a Reply

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