Jon WorthAug 15, 2023

Missing the point

Yes taxation rates matter. But France-Spain and France-Belgium trains are expensive to take *because the capacity is too low*

If you reduce ticket prices on those routes you WON’T TRANSPORT MORE PEOPLE. Just different people. As the trains are full anyway

So, Clement Beaune, how are you going to get more TGVs to Barcelona?

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/08/10/france-is-raising-taxes-on-flights-to-pay-for-trains-should-other-european-countries-do-th

Why are flights cheaper than trains in Europe?

Train travel is often more expensive than flying. Could taxing aviation to invest in the rail industry help change that?

euronews
Show threadJon WorthAug 15, 2023
And if your response is “ah but rail firms will add more capacity”, I’d point you to Thalys that hasn’t upped capacity in 2 decades despite rising demand and sky high prices. And SNCF that runs just 2 TGVs to Barcelona a day. Both easy to solve, both not done.
Show threadOskar im Keller

@jon

Travelled to South of France in May. Started in Aachen, took ICE to Brussels, then caught direct TGV to Montpellier. Great train, changing in Brussels very convenient. But only runs once a day.

Montpellier Sud de France is a weird super modern station that only comes to life 2-3 times a day when the main trains arrive or leave. If you want to change to other trains (TER etc) to continue travel, you need to change to the main train station. There is no direct bus, taxi takes 30 minutes.

Aug 15, 2023 at 1:09pmWeb
Show threadJon WorthAug 15, 2023
@OskarImKeller Right. A tram line is planned to Montpellier sdF but hasn't been built yet. But stations like that are typical in France - assumption is everyone taking the train ALSO has a car (or access to one).
Show threadOskar im KellerAug 15, 2023

@jon

All the big car rental companies are present at SdF. However, if you pick up a car there and want to return it to another station, they charge substantial extra fees (IIRC it was around 50 €). The station is surrounded by huge parking lots - sealed asphalt with little shade.

There is the occasional navette shuttle that gets you to the closest tram stop. The journey involves walking (with luggage) across some big square and takes at least an hour I calculated. We went for the taxi.

Show threadOskar im KellerAug 15, 2023

@jon

In Scandinavia (at least when I was still travelling there regularly) a bus service would be running between the two stations that would coincide with the arrival and departure of the main TGV services at SdF. It would cost a reasonable amoun of money, and be a reliable way of getting there and back, with space for people's luggage. Does France have laws against that?

Show threadJon WorthAug 15, 2023
@OskarImKeller no law against it. Just attitude.