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

 

182,590 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. I enjoy your own personal distribute. It really is fantastic to ascertain someone describe inside terms inside the heart along with quality concerning this crucial matter could possibly be quickly seen. 中文補習

  2. I am doing a report on this subject. Your article is full of really useful information. I will make sure to come back to check out your posts for my next report. 棄置傢俬

  3. Great post full of useful tips! My site is fairly new and I am also having a hard time getting my readers to leave comments. Analytics shows they are coming to the site but I have a feeling “nobody wants to be first”. 購買紙箱

  4. Immediately the website might irrefutably obtain famous one of the most associated with publishing customers, because of its diligent articles or just crucial evaluations. 中文補習

  5. Are you hoping to have an absolutely amazing night out in Islamabad? Go no farther than the top-rated Islamabadescorts services in the city! You may see the city in a whole new way thanks to the fantastic evening of companionship that these knowledgeable experts offer. The Islamabad Escorts are here to make sure your night is one to remember, whether you’re planning an exhilarating night of dancing, a romantic dinner date, or whatever in between. Learn more about the top escorts in Islamabad and what they can accomplish for you by reading on!

  6. Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. There tend to be not many people who can certainly write not so simple posts that artistically. Continue the nice writing 購買紙箱

  7. Your work here on this blog has been top notch from day 1. You’ve been continously providing amazing articles for us all to read and I just hope that you keep it going on in the future as well. Cheers! 棄置傢俬

  8. Thank you a bunch for Blue meanie mushrooms sharing this with all of us. You really recognise what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally consult with my site. We may have a link exchange contract among us!

  9. I really like people unique writing. Will probably be quality to uncover just one reveal with text on the center and in some cases purity in this particular unique vital area of interest will likely be conveniently encountered. 中文補習

  10. After study some of the websites with your internet site now, i really as if your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Pls look at my site likewise and figure out what you believe. pkv-tarifvergleich.info

  11. I definitely perfect driven in making getting some site, that i save been unfavorable to try and conduct to add a long time around. Appreciates for that reason win over, this is certainly functional! 꽁머니사이트

  12. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. KW : Peaceful

  13. ver time, drains can become clogged with debris, grease, and https://www.localramu.com/bengaluru/plumber other substances. Plumbers use various tools, such as drain snakes or hydro-jetting, to clear blockages and ensure proper drainage.Plumbers can install and repair various fixtures, including sinks, faucets, toilets, showers, and bathtubs. They may also address issues such as leaks or low water pressure.

  14. Incredible occupation for distributing such a valuable site. Your web log isn’t just helpful yet it is also extremely inventive as well. There will in general be relatively few individuals who can absolutely compose not all that straightforward posts that masterfully. Proceed with the pleasant composition 香港公司註册

  15. I simply had to appreciate you once again. I am not sure the things I would’ve taken care of in the absence of those hints shown by you regarding that industry. Entirely was a very difficult dilemma in my circumstances, nevertheless being able to view the very skilled approach you treated the issue forced me to weep over delight. Now i am happier for the work and then pray you recognize what a great job you have been carrying out training people today all through a web site. Most probably you have never come across any of us. 中學中文

  16. Hello i am so delighted I discovered your blog, I actually discovered you by error, while I was searching Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a great blog posting and a all round absorbing blog (I also love the theme/design), I do not have time to read it all at the right now but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more. 中學中文

  17. 글을 많이 읽었고 정확히 말하고 싶은 것을 정리하는 글쓰기 방식이 매우 좋다는 것을 알게되어 감명을 받았으며 앞으로 다시오고 싶습니다 .. 카지노사이트

  18. I simply at this time wishes to teach you it’s my job to was first recent to make sure you world wide web page additionally absolutely wanted your blog article. Almost certainly I’m approximately find your blog post. Most people most certainly feature brilliant endures. Top dreams suitable imparting around your blog post. yinyang69
    h

  19. I am happy to find your perceived technique for forming the post. Directly you make it basic for me to grasp and complete the thought. Thankful to you for the post. 香港公司

  20. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. KW : Peaceful

  21. You couldn’t enter into great detail, nevertheless, you presented the necessities I desired to get me thru. It only needed a short while to see your entry and so I have an awareness that I know most people pass up. You will have added to my exploration in your posting. 中學中文

  22. Delve into the unique aspects of Bitcoin Return investments, understand its volatility, and learn strategies to optimize your returns. Whether you’re a seasoned investor, our guide offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of Bitcoin investments.

  23. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog. You have some really good posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Thanks! 中學中文

  24. Oh my goodness! an excellent post dude. Thanks a ton Nevertheless We’re experiencing trouble with ur rss . Do not know why Unable to register for it. Will there be everyone getting identical rss difficulty? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 中學中文

  25. 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! KW : Peaceful

  26. Persons appreciate shopping for amazing, appealing, fascinating and from time to time attractive aromas for them selves and pertaining to others. This can be executed conveniently along with inexpensively in an on-line perfume shop. 成立無限公司 手續

  27. Excellent post. I was always checking this blog, and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part, I care for such information a lot. I was exploring this particular info for a long time. Thanks to this blog my exploration has ended. KW : Peaceful

Leave a Reply

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