End clap for Fret SNCF

The single structure of the SNCF freight transport subsidiary will be replaced by a dual entity.

Two new distinct companies will be created: Hexafret which will take care of freight transport, and Technis which will be responsible for locomotive maintenance. It is the culmination of two years of crisis within the public company which was the subject of a procedure by the European Commission. Brussels in fact criticized the French state for having paid aid considered illegal between 2005 and 2019 to Fret SNCF to make up its deficit, to the tune of around 5 billion euros.

The rail freight activity – the transport of goods by train – has been open to competition since 2006 and aid, if any, must benefit all operators in the sector, including European players. Brussels was intransigent on this point and the SNCF had to adapt. To avoid litigation, at the risk of losing, Paris opted for another path.

The government has negotiated what is known in legal terms as a “discontinuity plan”. Assessment in two phases: 1/ SNCF had to abandon 23 of the most profitable flows of goods (abandonment to Belgian and German competition in particular), the equivalent of 20% of its turnover. 2/ Obligation to separate the activity into two companies, therefore one for the transport of goods (Hexafret), the other for the maintenance of machines (Technis).

We are talking about a 10% reduction in staff, or around 500 people. The remaining 4,500 employees of Fret SNCF will be distributed between the two new companies. Their status as railway workers will not be affected, with SNCF covering the additional costs of their specific pension plans. Evaluation of this additional cost for the year 2025 alone: ​​20 million euros. Despite these guarantees provided by the government, the unions are demanding the resumption of negotiations with Brussels, which obviously seems to be wasted effort.