Summer TGV ticket reservations opened today, March 12, 2025, and travelers are already feeling the pinch as prices soar. This increase is largely attributed to strategic errors made over the past decade by both the French government and SNCF, the railway operator.
According to transport economist Patricia Pérennes, the fundamental problem began when around 100 TGV trains were removed from service during the 2010s. "Une centaine de rames de TGV ont été supprimées dans les années 2010," Pérennes explained, recalling how this decision was influenced by the burgeoning popularity of low-cost flights which led to decreased ridership on the TGV.
Back then, the decline seemed inevitable, and the strategy appeared to follow the market. Yet, since then, the demand for high-speed rail travel has surged dramatically. "C’était l’époque du développement des vols low cost. Et la fréquentation du TGV baissait," she added, indicating the stark difference between past projections and current realities.
Last year, TGV services welcomed a staggering 126 million passengers, setting a new record against the backdrop of 360 operational trains. This significant demand has not only highlighted flaws within the railway system's current operational strategy but also drove ticket prices to unprecedented levels. The balance between supply and demand has utterly shifted, leading to increased fares for travelers.
The high prices of TGV tickets during this peak booking period, often likened to the avarice seen during the holiday travel rush, put many future journeys out of reach for the average traveler. The sellers, functioning with limited resources after scaling back, now find themselves unable to meet the needs of the explosive growth of public transport interest.
With passenger numbers on such an upward trend, there are pressing calls for the SNCF to reevaluate their network strategies. A proper assessment of how to expand services, potentially reinstilling the previously scrapped trains, could be the first step to addressing the burgeoning demand.
The question remains, will the authorities act swiftly enough to satisfy the clamoring voices of travelers eager for affordable high-speed rides at their disposal? Without changes, this summer season could become another example of high demand colliding with inadequate supply, leaving many to rethink their travel plans.
With the number of TGV trains reduced when demand was dwindling, the current scenario serves as both a lesson learned and a baffling predicament. Will the SNCF and government adjust, or will they continue to let the ticket prices rise unchecked with the tides of market demand?