- In recent years, the SNCF has recorded more train delays than before
- The causes of delays are both external and internal
- SNCF is working to improve the situation.
“We always remember the late train, never the one on time” goes the saying. Perhaps, but the figures are clear: train delays are an increasingly recurrent problem in France, which affects the punctuality of rail service and passenger satisfaction.
According to SNCF, the train regularity rate (i.e. the percentage of trains arriving on time or less than 15 minutes late) was 88.9% in 2022, down from 2019 (90.5%) and 2018 (89.7%). If you had the impression that the trains were more often late, you were right.
More what are the causes of these delays and how does the SNCF hope to remedy them? We tell you everything.
Why are the trains late?
The causes of delays are many and varied, but they can be grouped into three main categories: external causes, internal causes and structural causes.
External causes include events that are unforeseeable or beyond the control of SNCF, such as bad weather, personal accidents, malicious acts, strikes or demonstrations. These causes represent approximately 40% delays according to SNCF.
For example, on Monday April 10, 2023, a person was hit by a train near Angers, causing major delays on the rails between the Grand-Ouest and Paris. On Friday April 7, 2023, a train was delayed at Limoges station due to a malicious act on the tracks. On Wednesday March 29, 2023, a signaling failure in Rennes caused significant delays on the Le Mans-Laval line in both directions of traffic.
Internal causes are 100% the responsibility of the SNCF. These are malfunctions linked to railway operations, such as rolling stock breakdowns, technical incidents, human errors or organizational problems. These causes represent approximately 30% late according to SNCF.
For example, on Thursday April 6, 2023, a train from Paris to Bordeaux was delayed for more than an hour due to an electrical problem on the locomotive. On Sunday April 2, 2023, a train from Lyon to Marseille was delayed for more than two hours due to a switch problem.
These delays are closely related to structural problems in the company. The rail network is saturated, aging and less and less maintained. These causes represent approximately 30% late according to SNCF.
Again, examples abound. On Tuesday April 4, 2023, a train from Lille to Paris was delayed by more than 40 minutes due to a slowdown on the high-speed line. On Saturday April 1, 2023, a train connecting Strasbourg to Paris was delayed for more than an hour due to a construction site on the track.
The author of this article is confronted every week with these structural problems on the Amiens-Paris line, among the champions of delays.
How does the SNCF want to reduce delays?
Faced with passenger dissatisfaction (not to say anger), the SNCF has implemented several measures to reduce delays and improve the quality of rail service. Its strategy is based on three pillars: prevention, renovation and coordination.
Prevention consists of anticipating risks as well as possible and thus optimizing traffic management. This first component involves the creation of a new application, SNCF Connect, which centralizes reservations, communications and real-time traffic information. Problem: SNCF Connect still encounters many bugs several months after its launch.
In parallel, the group is betting on the renovation of the rail network. The company invests in the modernization of the rail network and rolling stock, to improve reliability and performance.
For example, the SNCF has launched a plan to renovate high-speed tracks, which aims to renew 1,000 km of rails by 2024. This involves replacing rails, sleepers, ballast and catenaries, which are subject to heavy wear. SNCF has also launched a train renewal plan, which aims to replace the oldest trains with more modern and more comfortable models.
Finally, the company relies on the coordination between the various players in the rail system (SNCF Réseau, SNCF Voyageurs, SNCF Mobilités or the transport authorities) to reduce delays.
For example, the group has signed agreements with several regions, setting regularity targets and financial bonuses and penalties depending on the evolution of the situation.
How to get reimbursed in the event of a train delay?
To be reimbursed for a train ticket by the SNCF in the event of a delay, you must know the type of train and the duration of the delay.
In the event of a delay of TGV INOUI or a Intercity trainyou can benefit from the warranty G30 and request compensation online or by mail within 60 days of your trip. The amount of compensation depends on the length of the delay :
- Between 30 minutes and 1h59 late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 25 % of the purchase price, only in voucher up to 59 minutes late, and in voucher or bank transfer from 1h to 1h59.
- Between 2h and 2h59 late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 50 % of the purchase price, in voucher or bank transfer according to your choice.
- Beyond 3 hours late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 75 % of the purchase price, in voucher or bank transfer according to your choice.
In the event of a delay of OUIGO trainyou automatically receive a voucher by SMS if your train is more than one hour late on arrival. The amount of the voucher follows the same scale as for TGV INOUI and Intercités trains.
In the event of a delay of train Eurostar (journeys to England), you are entitled to compensation if your train is delayed by 60 minutes or more. The amount of compensation depends on the payment method chosen (voucher or bank transfer) and the delay time:
- Between 60 minutes and 1h59 minutes late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 25 % of the purchase price in voucher or 25 % of the purchase price by bank transfer.
- Between 2h and 2h59 minutes late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 50 % of the purchase price in voucher or 25 % of the purchase price by bank transfer.
- Beyond 3 hours late on arrival: the ticket is compensated up to 75 % of the purchase price in voucher or 50 % of the purchase price by bank transfer.
