SNCF May Be Forced to Sell Competitor Tickets on Its App
The French Senate has adopted an amendment to the transport framework law that could compel SNCF Connect, the digital platform of state-owned railway operator SNCF, to sell tickets from its competitors. Currently, SNCF Connect handles approximately 85% of TGV ticket sales in France, totaling over 230 million tickets annually. The new legislation aims to simplify the passenger experience by creating a unified platform similar to air travel aggregators like Expedia or Opodo. Under this proposal, SNCF would be required to list offers from rival operators such as Italy’s Trenitalia, which operates on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille axis, and Velvet, a new competitor scheduled to launch Paris-Bordeaux services in 2028. Proponents of the amendment, including senators from diverse political backgrounds, argue that consolidating all rail options into a single interface enhances consumer convenience and market transparency. This move marks a significant shift in the French railway sector, challenging SNCF’s dominant position in ticket distribution and potentially reshaping competitive dynamics among high-speed rail providers in France.
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SNCF May Be Forced to Sell Competitor Tickets on Its App
The French Senate has adopted an amendment to the transport framework law that could compel SNCF Connect, the digital platform of state-owned railway operator SNCF, to sell tickets from its competitors. Currently, SNCF Connect handles approximately 85% of TGV ticket sales in France, totaling over 230 million tickets annually. The new legislation aims to simplify the passenger experience by creating a unified platform similar to air travel aggregators like Expedia or Opodo. Under this proposal, SNCF would be required to list offers from rival operators such as Italy’s Trenitalia, which operates on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille axis, and Velvet, a new competitor scheduled to launch Paris-Bordeaux services in 2028. Proponents of the amendment, including senators from diverse political backgrounds, argue that consolidating all rail options into a single interface enhances consumer convenience and market transparency. This move marks a significant shift in the French railway sector, challenging SNCF’s dominant position in ticket distribution and potentially reshaping competitive dynamics among high-speed rail providers in France.
lefigaro