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

 

206,261 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform! 사설 토토사이트 추천

  2. Need secure car storage in London? Our units offer 24/7 access and CCTV security. Find reliable car storage near you today!

    Nearby Car Storage Units – Call 020 3640 1279

  3. A game full of sensation and adrenaline for those who are very tense, this is a very popular game that is of interest to many, besides the sensation, this game is very profitable, for further information please visit this website https://agvip8.tv/

  4. Useful info. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I am stunned why this accident didn’t came about in advance! I bookmarked it. 최신링크

  5. anbesol liquid for babies for Babies provides fast-acting relief from teething pain and gum discomfort. Formulated with a mild anesthetic, it effectively numbs sore gums, reducing pain and irritation. This easy-to-apply liquid is suitable for infants over four months old and is free from sugar and artificial colors. Anbesol Liquid offers parents a trusted solution to soothe their baby’s teething troubles, ensuring a more comfortable and happier experience during this challenging phase.

  6. ทรรศนะบอล Welcome everyone to the FUNSPORTSANS website . Football analysis, football commentary, every famous league around the world. We will bring leading experts in the country to analyze every game in depth. Let you read with satisfaction. The kind that you can’t find anywhere else.

  7. บอล ยูโร บอลชิงชนะเลิศแห่งชาติยุโรป (อังกฤษ: European Football Championship) หรือที่นิยมเรียกทั่วๆไปว่า เป็นการชิงชัยบอลรายการสำคัญที่สุดของกลุ่มชาติในทวีปยุโรป ซึ่งจัดขึ้นทุก 4 ปีโดยสหภาพชมรมบอลยุโรป (ยูฟ่า) แล้วก็จะห่างจากการประลองบอลโลกของสมาคมสหพันธ์ฟุตบอลระหว่างชาติ 2 ปี เริ่มชิงชัยมาตั้งแต่ปี พุทธศักราช 2503 (คริสต์ศักราช 1960) ในชื่อรายการว่า ยูโรเปียนเนชันส์คัพ (European Nations Cup) จากแนวความคิดของอ็องรี เดอโลแน เลขาธิการสมาพันธ์บอลประเทศฝรั่งเศสเวลานี้ ดังนี้การประลอง 5 ทีแรก มีกลุ่มชาติร่วมชิงชัย รอบในที่สุดเพียงแต่ 4 ประเทศ ถัดมาตั้งแต่การแข่งขันชิงชัยครั้งที่ 3 รายปี พุทธศักราช 2511 (คริสต์ศักราช 1968) แปลงชื่อการประลองเป็น ยูโรเปียนบอลแชมเปียนชิพ ตามที่ใช้อยู่ในขณะนี้ รวมทั้งในครั้งที่ 6 เมื่อปี พุทธศักราช 2523 (คริสต์ศักราช 1980) มีกลุ่มชาติเข้าแข่งขันรอบท้ายที่สุด เพิ่มเป็น 8 ประเทศ ส่วนการประลองนัดหมายชิงลำดับที่สาม ยกเลิกไปในครั้งที่ 7 เมื่อ พุทธศักราช 2527 (คริสต์ศักราช 1984) แล้วในครั้งที่ 10 เมื่อปี พุทธศักราช 2539 (คริสต์ศักราช 1996) เพิ่มเป็น 16 ประเทศ ในรอบในที่สุด การแข่งขันชิงชัยครั้งปัจจุบัน เมื่อปี พุทธศักราช 2564 (คริสต์ศักราช 2021) จัดแจงแข่งใน 11 ประเทศผู้จัดงานทั่วทวีปยุโรป

    บอล ยูโร

  8. Togel remains one of the most popular games in Indonesia. With the thrill and adrenaline it offers, togel remains the choice for many people seeking fortune, for further information please visit this website https://ydy010.com/

  9. tiktok video downloader is your go-to solution for saving your favorite TikTok videos in high quality, without any watermarks. Just copy the link of the video you love, paste it into our downloader, and with a single click, it’s saved to your device.

  10. Provendor provides powerful protection for safe driving, whether in the city or on various rough and sandy roads, through an instant lifting mechanism that works quickly to absorb

  11. I recently started using Tyfon Insecticides’ mosquito killer spray and I am extremely impressed with the results. This product is hands down the mosquito killer spray in Pakistan . It effectively eliminates mosquitoes and provides long-lasting protection, ensuring my home stays mosquito-free. Additionally, it’s safe to use around my family and pets, which gives me peace of mind. Highly recommend Tyfon Insecticides for anyone dealing with mosquito problems!

  12. How is everything going? I hope you all are doing well. This site is incredibly valuable to us, providing a wealth of information and resources. Your insights and contributions are particularly helpful for newcomers who are just starting. – 24kbet slot

    Thank you for making this community so supportive and informative!

  13. We offer you a wide variety of premium coffee crops, where you can discover unique flavors and amazing aromas. We ensure high quality and careful attention in selecting our crops
    محاصيل البن

  14. I got too much interesting stuff on your blog. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work. AJ8indo

  15. This game is one of the most popular games in Indonesia with the sensation it offers, the game is the choice for many people who are looking for luck, for further information, just visit this website https://lottosodlive.com

  16. This information is magnificent. I understand and respect your clear-cut points. I am impressed with your writing style and how well you express your thoughts. acim lesson 1

Leave a Reply

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