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

 

177,021 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. Effectively Risks Management in Bitcoin Investments. Navigating the dynamic world of cryptocurrency investments requires a strategic approach to safeguard your assets. Bitcoin’s potential for substantial gains is matched by its inherent volatility, making risk management paramount. Our resources offer invaluable insights, expert guidance, and comprehensive information to help you understand and mitigate the risks associated with Bitcoin investments. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just entering the crypto arena, seize the opportunity to fortify your portfolio and protect your financial interests.

  2. Microgaming is probably the most highly regarded name inside the online casino industry. This company has been developing quality games for quite some time and always offers the best sounds and graphics to everyone. Additionally, these casinos are recognized to offer the best casino bonuses to be found. 메이저사이트

  3. Online fish shooting game Withdraw money and actually use it. Upgrade to the newest version, fish shooting gamepg, modern game format. Play fish shooting games for free. Pamper players who like investing in fish shooting games. And it is also the game that is receiving the most attention at the moment.
    เกมยิงปลาออนไลน์

  4. Halaman ini memberikan hasil data sdy lengkap untuk semua pemain togel sydney. Pada situs ini memberikan semua tempat bermain togel sidney terpercaya di indonesia, selain itu juga kami menyediakan hasil nomor pengeluaran sdy juga tabel data sydney lengkap 2023.

  5. Temukan yang terbaik dari Slot Thailand di BuahMart.com! Dengan beragam pilihan permainan slot menarik dan hiburan tiada duanya, Anda akan menemukan kesenangan dan peluang menang tanpa akhir. Jangan lewatkan pengalaman mendebarkan ini – kunjungi situs kami hari ini dan mulailah perjalanan bermainmu!

  6. Excellent fully grasp, Positive website page, where by conducted u assemble the main points in such a positioning? I’ve truly bought fully grasp a lot of this content pieces with all your website page here, together with I really like glimpse. Love getting some sort of mil together with it is advisable to keep that practical do the trick. SEO Backlinks

  7. Elegant functionality and streamlined simplicity are the hallmarks of modern home décor. In order to convey a feeling of room and tranquility, it incorporates simple designs, neutral color schemes, and clean lines. Open floor designs, simple furnishings, and the use of organic materials like stone and wood are important components. Another important factor is technology, with smart home appliances that are efficiently and conveniently integrated. Statement elements give the room personality, such as abstract paintings or unusual lighting fixtures. The ultimate effect is a tasteful fusion of design and utility, with each component fulfilling a specific role and adding to a chic yet welcoming ambiance.

  8. Enjoy it suitable submission an exceedingly important information, Pictures appeared on your website additionally figure out a lot of write-up. We’re attracted in check connected with submission… kantor bola slot

  9. I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work. Khasab tours from Dubai

  10. An intriguing discussion might be priced at comment. I do think you should write much more about this topic, may well certainly be a taboo subject but typically consumers are insufficient to communicate on such topics. Yet another. Cheers Pink Tequila

  11. Vashikaran Mantra is a spiritual practice that originated from ancient India. It is believed that this practice helps to influence and control the minds and functioning of people. Gay Vashikaran Mantra

Leave a Reply

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