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

 

176,531 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. I know your expertise on this. I must say we should have an online discussion on this. Writing only comments will close the discussion straight away! And will restrict the benefits from this information. 英文補習

  2. I’m continually scanning on the web for posts that will support me. An excess of is obviously to find out about this. I trust you made great quality things in Functions too. Continue working, congratulations! m 巾推薦

  3. Whether used for shipping, storage, or retail display, cardboard boxes offer sturdy protection to your items during transit and ensure they reach their destination in optimal condition.

    A Custom Boxes

  4. Personally, I have found that to remain probably the most fascinating topics when it draws a parallel to. You may find two to three new levels inside L . a . Weight loss and any one someone is incredibly important. Initial stage may be real melting away rrn the body. lose weight 護墊推薦香港

  5. Asort is India’s first Co-Commerce firm. As ASORT, we take pride in realizing millions of people’s ambitions of becoming entrepreneurs.

    We are fostering an entrepreneurial attitude and encouraging our Seller Partners to improve their business skills.

    Our expert staff provides the greatest training sessions to assist and nourish the new talent.
    Asort company

  6. Asort stands as India’s pioneering Co-Commerce company. At ASORT, we’re passionate about helping countless individuals fulfill their dreams of entrepreneurship.

    Our mission is to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit, guiding our Seller Partners to enhance their business prowess.

    Our seasoned team is dedicated to offering top-notch training to support and develop budding talent..
    Asort company

  7. Whoi, excellent, t wondered just how to cure icne. ind found your webstte by google, dtscovered todiy t’m i ltttle obvtous i greit deil. t’ve ilso idded RSS ind sive your webstte. keep us updited. m 巾推薦

  8. asort india’s 1st co-commerce company

    Being India’s inaugural Co-Commerce entity, ASORT is deeply committed to turning numerous aspirations into entrepreneurial realities.

    We emphasize cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and guiding our Seller Partners toward better business acumen.

    Our skilled team ensures that they deliver the best training sessions to mentor and shape the upcoming talent.
    Asort company

  9. ASORT leads as India’s original Co-Commerce platform. We’re all about empowering people, turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

    Our focus is on honing an entrepreneurial spirit among our Seller Partners, steering them toward business excellence.

    To do this, our expert team curates high-quality training, nurturing the emerging talent.
    Asort company

  10. Kraft boxes are renowned for their eco-friendly nature and rustic appeal. Made from recyclable materials, they are an environmentally conscious choice that appeals to eco-conscious consumers.

    A Custom Boxes

  11. I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post  香港衛生巾

  12. Kraft boxes are renowned for their eco-friendly nature and rustic appeal. Made from recyclable materials, they are an environmentally conscious choice that appeals to eco-conscious consumers.

    A Custom Boxes

  13. Do you thoughts if I quote a few of your articles so long as I provide credit score and assets lower back for your website? My blog website online is inside the very equal vicinity of interest as yours and my site visitors would surely gain from a lot of the information you provide right here. Please allow me recognise if this okay with you. Thank you! https://www.ufabetwins.com/ทางเข้าufabet/

  14. You have a genuine capacity for composing one of a kind substance. I like how you think and the way you speak to your perspectives in this article. I concur with your mindset. Much obliged to you for sharing. 豪宅裝修

  15. I truly awed after read this in light of some quality work and educational contemplations . I just wanna express profound gratitude for the essayist and want you to enjoy all that life has to offer for coming!. 別墅設計

  16. Deposit lewat bank saat ini tidak jaman lagi, karena bank mempunyai agenda offline buat itu dengan aplikasi Ovo sendiri kamu tidak butuh takut, kapanpun mau bermain aplikasi Ovo dapat diandalkan sepanjang 24jam JUNKET88 SLOT nonstop tanpa terdapatnya agenda offline serta pula sangat tidak sering hadapi kendala teknis. Seperti itu sebabnya web Slot Ovo 24 jam sangat

  17. This is a great high resolution screen which you have shared for the users. Making a website is not an easy task but managing a good website is really a hard work. As far as this website is concerned, I am very happy. 豪宅裝修

  18. 방문자에게 제공하는 최고 품질의 정보를 정말로 즐겼다 ​​고 말하기 전에 웹 사이트를 떠날 수 없었습니까? 새로운 게시물을 확인하기 위해 자주 다시 올 것입니다. 해외야구중계

  19. You have worked admirably on this article. It’s truly meaningful and profoundly wise. You have even figured out how to make it justifiable and simple to peruse. You have some genuine composition ability. Much thanks to you. 私樓裝修

  20. Yuan Qigong balances the body from head to toe, improves the Qi condition, opens the heart and transforms negative thought and behavior patterns. Experience this truth for yourself by signing up for one of our online courses.

  21. บาคาร่าออนไลน์ เว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ASIA99TH เว็บบาคาร่าอันดับ 1 |

    บาคาร่าออนไลน์ Asia99th เว็บบาคาร่า อันดับ1 ที่มาแรงที่สุดในตอนนี้ มั่นคง ปลอดภัย ทุกการเดิมพัน เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ ที่สุดในการเดิมพันออนไลน์แห่งยุค 2023

  22. Great post however I was thinking about whether you could compose a litte more regarding this matter? I’d be exceptionally appreciative in the event that you could expand somewhat further. Value it..! 別墅裝修

  23. I genuinely believed you would probably have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you were not too busy looking for attention. After all, I know it was my choice to read.. cbd valais

  24. Truly, this article is really one of the very best in the history of articles. I am a antique ’Article’ collector and I sometimes read some new articles if I find them interesting. And I found this one pretty fascinating and it should go into my collection. Very good work! 해외축구중계

  25. There are a number of plays of food show. This show is the greater podcast that can be watched at YouTube also. You would also like to listen about the Company where I do job which provides best creative writer India which can make your show more popular. 別墅設計

  26. A debt of gratitude is in order for posting this information. I simply need to tell you that I simply look at your site and I discover it exceptionally fascinating and educational. I can hardly wait to peruse bunches of your posts. 豪宅裝修

  27. That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more mlb중계

  28. That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more mlb중계

  29. I genuinely believed you would probably have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix if you were not too busy looking for attention. After all, I know it was my choice to read.. 別墅設計

Leave a Reply

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