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

 

207,607 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Many thanks! cam follower

  2. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am glad to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot indubitably will make certain to do not disregard this website and give it a look on a constant. more info

  3. Controleer de snelheid van uw website om uw ranking in Google te verbeteren. Optimaliseer uw titels en kopteksten en implementeer gestructureerde gegevens om uw SERP-rankings te verbeteren. Gebruik interne links om beter vindbaar te zijn in zoekresultaten. Houd uw inhoud up-to-date en vermijd overmatig gebruik van zoekwoorden. Volg deze stappen om uw website te optimaliseren voor SEO en de zichtbaarheid in Google te vergroten. Let op: overmatig gebruik van de term ‘Hilversum’ wordt afgestraft door Google in 2023. kindergarten worksheets

  4. SaharTech made it incredibly easy to register my pk domain! The process was quick, and their customer support was very helpful. If you’re looking for reliable pk domain services in Pakistan, I highly recommend SaharTech for a seamless experience

  5. Juristische Übersetzungverträge, Juristisch Übersetzer, Wirtschaftsrecht, Sorgerechtserklärung, Arbeitszeugnis, Schulzeugnis, Urkunden, Diplom, Sorgerechtsurtei, Abiturzeugnis, Staatsexamen, Führerschein, Scheidungsurkunde, Geburtsurkunde, Namensänderung, Aufenthaltszusicherung, Zivilrecht. Rechtsbehelf, Anwaltsschreiben. Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung , PatentÜbersetzung, Juristische Übersetzungverträge, Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen, Verfügungen, Gerichtsurteill, Handelsregister, Betriebsvereinbarung, Abkommen, Vereinbarung, Arbeitsrecht, Erbrecht, EU-Recht, Familienrecht, Kartellrecht, Internationales Wirtschaftsrecht, Prozessrecht, Steuerrecht.

  6. SaharTech made it incredibly easy to register my pk domain! The process was quick, and their customer support was very helpful. If you’re looking for reliable pk domain services in Pakistan, I highly recommend SaharTech for a seamless experience

  7. 나는 훌륭한 유용한 리소스를 무료로 제공하는 비용을 이해하는 웹 사이트를 보는 것을 좋아합니다. 나는 당신의 게시물을 읽는 것을 정말 좋아했습니다. 감사합니다! 링크모음

  8. DTF printer, also known as Direct-to-film printer, applies DTF ink and PET film to achieve printings transferable from film to a wide range of fabric, including cotton, polyester, cotton-polyester blends, spandex, nylon, denim, canvas and so forth.
    Looking for a reliable DTF printer to start with? Procolored provides the best DTF printer collection for you! Here we encompass A4 DTF printer for new beginners, A3 DTF printer for small studios, offering you vibrant printing effect and enduring working performance to help your business grow.

    https://procolored.eu/collections/dtf-transfer-printer

  9. 나는 훌륭한 유용한 리소스를 무료로 제공하는 비용을 이해하는 웹 사이트를 보는 것을 좋아합니다. 나는 당신의 게시물을 읽는 것을 정말 좋아했습니다. 감사합니다! 카지노커뮤니티

  10. 나는 훌륭한 유용한 리소스를 무료로 제공하는 비용을 이해하는 웹 사이트를 보는 것을 좋아합니다. 나는 당신의 게시물을 읽는 것을 정말 좋아했습니다. 감사합니다! 토렌트사이트

  11. “Great article! I never realized how much artificial intelligence is shaping the way we interact with technology. Looking forward to more insights on the future of AI. Thanks for sharing!” swiftle

  12. This colllection includes different kinds of Tshirt printing machine for small business which are suitable for printing your custom design or logo. DTF printer and DTG printer are better options for Tshirt printing compared with vinyl heat press, they provide more vivid colors and fully meet the requirements of print o

    https://www.procolored.com/collections/tshirt-printer

  13. 나는 훌륭한 유용한 리소스를 무료로 제공하는 비용을 이해하는 웹 사이트를 보는 것을 좋아합니다. 나는 당신의 게시물을 읽는 것을 정말 좋아했습니다. 감사합니다! 바카라사이트

  14. Today, I was just browsing along and came upon your blog. Just wanted to say good blog and this article helped me a lot, due to which I have found exactly I was looking. slot dana

  15. Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I’m experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Don know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss problem? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx 해외배팅에이전시

  16. You delivered such an impressive piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain information. Thanks for sharing such information with us due to which my several concepts have been cleared. slot dana

  17. The proportion of profitable establishments rose for the second consecutive year to 83.9 per cent in 2022. The proportion of establishments that gave wage increases increased from 60 per cent in 2021 to 72.2 per cent in 2022. 웹툰

  18. Wow, What an Outstanding post. I found this too much informatics. It is what I was seeking for. I would like to recommend you that please keep sharing such type of info.If possible, Thanks. slot dana

Leave a Reply

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