The least polluting transport can also be the least expensive. In Occitania, “the One Euro Train is a victim Of its success”, adds the vice-president of the Region Jean-Luc Gibelin, determined with the SNCF to make rail the most attractive and ecological travel solution.
In Occitania, and nowhere else in France, the fleet of 280 liO trains, which provide 570 daily services, offers every day “at least one euro note”, promises Jean-Luc Gibelin, vice-president of the Region in charge of transport. At first glance, nothing to improve the image of French rail, which suffers from a degraded image linked to its frequent delays and railway workers’ strikes. Except “obviously, there are many more than one day tickets on sale”, continues the chosen one. Before declining the multiple opportunities deployed on the market since 2011.
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Sustainable profitability
Originally, the system concerned five historic lines 100% at one euro, in other words where all tickets without exception were and still are at this very low price. Of the thirteen departments of Occitanie, two lines of this grid still exist in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude. “That of Perpignan/Villefranche-de-Conflent and that of Carcassonne/Quillan”explains Gladys Verdier of SNCF Voyageurs.
The initial operation quickly proving to be a winner, it just as quickly took on a new dimension. “When we arrived in the Region with Carole Delga in 2016-17, after the Estates General of Rail, we broadened the principle, multiplied the tickets. Then, in 2022, we launched the one euro ticket system every first weekends of each month, spread over ten months of the year – from July 14 to August 15 this rate is reserved for young people under 27 -, which works very well” judge Jean-Luc Gibelin. He adds to this appointment “a number of low-cost tickets placed on event trains”. Profitability proves to be sustainable.
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In terms of price range, we are not at the end of the line
Each year, since 2022, 1.5 million one-euro tickets have been purchased across the entire Occitanie TER rail network. “It’s considerable. This is aid which allows everyone to use this public transport”depicts the elected official who noticed a real increase in attendance. “Without common measure”he said, “with the increases at the national level”. In 2023 for example, “we are at over 21% when in France the progression is only 7%”. And 2024 promises to be even better.
The Independent – Corinne Montardier
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However, the principle of the one euro now seems difficult to strengthen. Would there still be room for maneuver? “Maintaining the system is very important, replies Jean-Luc Gibelin. Stating, “We are still thinking about how to complete the price range. We are not at the end of the line. We are determined to remain the most attractive solution for users.” To this end, the elected official launches an appeal to the people. “Reserve your one euro tickets in advance”, he advises, ensuring that there are no tricks or privileges to access these winning tickets. Injected “completely randomly” in distribution channels, exclusively on the internet.
Good for the planet
Encouraging the use of trains is good for the planet. During the first two one-euro weekends, the liO trains had boarded 250,000 passengers for an average distance traveled of 100 kilometers and an overall fuel saving of 650,000 liters.
In Occitania, adds the SNCF, rail, which transports 20 million passengers per year, has 21 TER lines and almost 2,500 kilometers of railway tracks. There are also 274 stations and 72 additional trains put into circulation since 2020.
