They increased in particular for the low-cost Ouigo offer, with an increase of 10% according to the ART, when at the same time annual inflation stood at 4.9%. The Authority also noted that the higher the train occupancy rate, the more prices increase, for example in June and July, “while they are lower in January and February”.
In 2023, occupancy rates have also reached a record level (77%), particularly on high-speed links. Attendance increased everywhere while at the same time, the train supply fell slightly (-1%) according to the ART.
Lack of offers and rapid filling
“With 108 billion passenger kilometers transported (the sector’s reference unit), rail ridership reached a record level in France for the second consecutive year, 6% higher than the 2022 level,” says the authority. But the rail offer “is down slightly, in particular due to the social movements of March 2023”, she continues. Without the strikes, “the supply would have increased by 2%”, underlines the ART.
The lack of train supply is often pointed out in France as demand explodes and trains fill up more and more quickly, particularly in summer and during long weekends. The craze for the train was confirmed in 2023 with increased attendance on regional trains (+7%) and high-speed trains (+5%). Everywhere, TER and Intercités ridership far exceeds the level before the Covid-19 pandemic (+21%), with the exception of Île-de-France, where it remains 6% lower.
