Several SNCF TGV stations set to disappear, why is this worrying

© François Lalande/Capital

– Certain SNCF TGV stations, which are not very profitable, are under threat.

It may soon no longer be possible to stop at Le Creusot, Saint-Etienne or Chambéry stations. These destinations served by the TGV are in fact lose money at the SNCF. And if until now, the railway company could count on its profits made on very profitable lines, mainly Paris-Lyon-Marseille, to finance them, the arrival of competition changed the situation, as RMC explains.

The appearance of new players, such as Trenitalia or Renfe, tends to gradually reduce SNCF's profits, especially since these latter entrants only establish themselves on the most profitable lines. The French National Railway Company therefore risks, in the long term, no longer having enough money to continue to finance the less profitable stations. The latter therefore risk being less well served, or even no longer served at all.

Will competitors make the same efforts?

In order to allow the SNCF to continue to operate its connections in these stations, the Minister of Transport, François Durovraywishes to make proposals by this summer. In particular, he intends to convince competitors to also serve less financially attractive stops, like what is proposed in Spain.

However, professionals in the sector remain skeptical about the possibility of legally forcing new companies to make the same efforts as the SNCF, our colleagues specify. A trade unionist fears, for his part, that the government will only ask competitors to stop on the main lines, for example Le Creusot between Paris and Lyon, and not continue their journey to Saint-Etienne or Chambéry.