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. People weblogs also you’ll find far more levels is usually fun also serviceable The product appoints all people attack search for refuge encore. When i undoubtedly will probably instantly take hold of people give to stay well informed of any announcements.
    Strands nyt game

  2. Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and internet and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it. buy usdt lebanon

  3. You produced some decent points there. I looked on the web for that problem and discovered most people is going together with with the internet site. ONLYFANS LEAKS

  4. An intriguing discussion will be worth comment. I’m sure that you need to write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually consumers are too few to chat on such topics. To another. Cheers ONLYFANS LEAKS

  5. Needed to compose you a tiny note to finally thank you very much yet again for your personal splendid methods you have discussed above. It is strangely open-handed with people like you to provide publicly all that a number of people would have marketed as an electronic book to generate some bucks for their own end, primarily now that you could possibly have tried it if you ever wanted. These inspiring ideas likewise acted like a fantastic way to know that the rest have the same dreams really like my personal own to see a whole lot more concerning this problem. I’m sure there are thousands of more enjoyable times in the future for many who check out your blog. clifford’s auto parts

  6. kantorbola Kantorbola situs slot online terbaik 2024 , segera daftar di situs kantor bola dan dapatkan promo terbaik bonus deposit harian 100 ribu , bonus rollingan 1% dan bonus cashback mingguan . Kunjungi juga link alternatif kami di kantorbola , kantorbola77.

  7. This will be on top of that a reasonably decent article which we obviously favorite scrutinizing. Far from day after day which inturn like the opportunities to pinpoint a products.
    ONLYFANS LEAKS

  8. Discover the ultimate comfort and space with our nearby SUV car service. Whether you need transportation for a special occasion or simply desire extra room for your journey, our SUV fleet is ready to accommodate your needs. Serving your area, our professional drivers ensure a smooth and luxurious ride from pickup to drop-off. With ample seating and storage capacity, our SUVs provide both comfort and convenience for individuals and groups alike. Experience the next level of transportation with our reliable and stylish SUV car service nearby. Book your ride today and enjoy a hassle-free journey wherever you need to go.
    Discover the ultimate comfort and space with our nearby SUV car service. Whether you need transportation for a special occasion or simply desire extra room for your journey, our SUV fleet is ready to accommodate your needs. Serving your area, our professional drivers ensure a smooth and luxurious ride from pickup to drop-off. With ample seating and storage capacity, our SUVs provide both comfort and convenience for individuals and groups alike. Experience the next level of transportation with our reliable and stylish SUV car service nearby. Book your ride today and enjoy a hassle-free journey wherever you need to go.

    https://seattletowncarservice.com/suv-car-service-in-bothell-wa/

  9. I’m no longer sure why however this net website online is loading enormously sluggish for me. Is all and sundry else having this problem or is it a hassle on my prevent? I’ll check all over again later and see if the hassle though exists. ugslot

  10. Yes, I agree with this article and I just want to say that this article is very nice and very informative. I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder. what about the other side? Thanks!
    Falls, WI Mental Health Services

  11. I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article… Fortune Tiger Live

  12. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks Fortune Tiger

  13. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I’m pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. Serolean

  14. เช่าชุดแบรนด์เนม sisterborrow.rent ร้านเช่าชุดใกล้ฉัน สะดวกสบาย และรวดเร็วที่สุด สินค้าหลากหลายประเภท ให้ท่านได้เลือก ไม่ว่าจะเป็น เช่าชุดแบรนด์ ออกงาน ชุดแฟชั่น ชุดกันหนาว ชุดว่ายน้ำ เช่าชุดปาร์ตี้ แว่น รองเท้า และอื่นๆอีกมากมาย ราคาเช่า 1-3 วัน เริ่มต้นเพียง 290 บาทเท่านั้น สวยง่ายๆในราคาประหยัด ใช้งานเสร็จสามารถส่งคืนร้านได้เลยไม่ต้องซักให้เสียเวลา

  15. Spot we should start art work on this write-up, I honestly expect this net internet net page requirements hundreds greater interest. I’ll probable be again to learn how to have a look at plenty more, thank you for that statistics. ugslot

  16. Good topic, thank you for sharing this. Can’t wait to read more of your posts. Just drop by my website handicap 0.5, because it is relevant to your niche! Thanks.

  17. Fantastic blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks!
    업소알바

  18. The Asia Gacor agent site offers a variety of slot games to suit each player’s preferences. Do you enjoy the simplicity of traditional three reel slots or prefer the best gacor slot experience today. I really like it, and I look forward to hearing from you next. Thank you for the information regarding the most popular news today this year. For more complete information, please visit our website for further information https://heylink.me/registertribuntogel/

Leave a Reply

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