Anger is brewing among the “commuters”, these employees who, working in Paris and whose home is located in the region, increase the number of return trips. Subscribers to TGV Max Actif and Max Actif, the latter are mobilizing this Wednesday through a “transport ticket presentation strike”. Pushed by the National Coordination of Train Users, these 20,000 subscribers are criticizing the increase in prices, since February 1, of 10% of the Max Active pass and 5% of the Max Active pass.
“The SNCF policy is unacceptable. This represents an increase of almost 20% in the space of three years. It’s a lack of respect towards us, who have been recurring and loyal customers for years,” David Charretier, president of the TGV Tours-Paris users’ association, told Le Parisien. Considering the subscription prices too low, in particular on journeys between the capital and Tours, Angers, or even Lyon, the railway company wanted to increase them. Consequence: the price of the TGV Max, for example, increased from 360 to 396 euros per month on a Paris-Lyon route, and from 312 to 343 euros per month between Paris and Reims.
Called into question, the SNCF defends itself and tries to relieve the pressure. While the price of tickets, with subscriptions, will remain between 16 and 18 euros on average, “a classic second class ticket will cost 40-45 euros,” explains SNCF Voyageurs. “We are therefore very confident that it will continue to respond very broadly to the needs of this audience and demonstrate that it is very competitive.” Not enough to calm David Charretier who plans “more radical” actions soon “if nothing changes after that.”
