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

 

163,799 thoughts on “Railway Industry in France

  1. An interesting dialogue is price comment. I feel that it is best to write more on this matter, it may not be a taboo topic however usually individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers. 토토커뮤니티

  2. 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 satta matta matka

  3. Kemer Dentist and Preventative Care

    It has a good reputation in the area for ensuring patient safety and quality service. There are dental procedures and dental treatments that this clinic offers. This dental practice also provides that they use state-of-the-art equipment and devices to carry out dental procedures effectively. The entire team at Kemer Dentist has proved that they are very skilled in carrying out dental procedures. They offer treatment ranging from preventative care to emergency treatment. To maintain a healthy and beautiful smile, you can get your teeth checked at this dental practice.

    Reference : https://mustafaalperkul.com/blog/kemer-dentist–%EF%BC%9E-fast-and-professional-dental-care/44

  4. I am continually amazed by the amount of information available on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well worded in order to get your stand on this across to all your readers. 소액결제 현금화

  5. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. http://www.rb88.casino

  6. I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorites blog site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my site as well and let me know what you think. เน็ต AIS

  7. Very man or woman speeches need to seat giving observe into couples. Brand new sound system just before unnecessary people should always be mindful of generally senior general rule from public speaking, which is to be the mini. best man speaches Berber rug uk

  8. Well, you understood what we mean: A company that organizes the work to be done for your website using professional, postmodern, and powerful digital tools can do a competitive job and makes you appear much more modern, “inside the market,” and “well-aware of digital visibility.” For precisely this, you should choose those that offer current results in mobile application and website designs.
    https://vallettasoft.com/best-website-design-company-in-malta/

  9. This is unendingly astonishing substance! I have totally respected looking at your obsessions and have displayed at the genuine that you are sensible concerning a wide store of them. You are mind blowing. 犀利士價格

  10. I’d prefer someone’s area. It happens to be superior to monitor all people verbalize in the heart and soul combined with readability within this theme important spot tend to be quickly diagnosed. vimax vs vigrx plus

  11. Finding Osteopathy Clinic in Brampton? So New Hope Physiotherapy is one of the best Osteopathy Clinic in Brampton, we are focused on providing the right osteopathy treatment to patients. Book Appointment Today!
    Osteopathy Treatment Brampton

  12. สล็อตออนไลน์เว็บอันดับต้นๆของประเทศ เว็บตรง โปรโมชั่นมากมายให้เลือกรับต้อง สล็อตpg88

  13. Wow! ✅ This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs we’ve ever arrive across on this subject. It’s really great. I’ve also written some articles on this topic therefore you can visit astronauta29

  14. Wow, What a fantastic article. This was a little too much informatics for me. It’s just what I was looking for. I would like to encourage that you continue to share this type of information. Thank you if this is doable.
    Album Market Demand

  15. Looking for Hyderabad Escorts?Visit my website today. here you will find High Profile independent Hyderabad Call girls at very lost. we are available 24/7.our Hyderabad Female Escorts are waiting for you to give unlimited sexual pleasure.

  16. Hello team i want to told something about your blog, this blog is awesome and provide some good information that help me a lot. I am really very impressed by this blog. Thanks For sharing with us such an informational blog. massey ferguson smart series

  17. Nothing Feels As Good As Being Fit Feel young again, look amazing, build strength, flexibility well it’s time to start getting in shape now. Are you ready to see faster results without drastically changing your workout plan or diet? Personal Trainer Near Me

Leave a Reply

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