These terminals present in stations will be gradually withdrawn this year throughout France, with a few exceptions.
Composting, annoying when the machine does not work the first time, stressful in case of delay, officially becomes a relic of the past. Cardboard and punched tickets have been gradually replaced by smaller paper tickets, but above all by electronic tickets, programming the disappearance of emblematic French railway furniture.
Terminals expensive to maintain
There are 3,000 of these terminals throughout the country, reserved for both TGV tickets and Intercity and TER tickets. However, since the end of 2021, the SNCF no longer sells cardboard tickets, with a few exceptions. In addition, composting as a whole is no longer on the agenda for the company, since the paper tickets, little used, can now be validated directly by the controllers.
According to the company, the high maintenance costs of these machines, in the face of their decreasing usefulness, no longer justify their maintenance: Depending on the lines, 96 to 99% of tickets are now digital. We have therefore decided to remove the stampers from our stations, because the vast majority of our customers no longer have to stamp their tickets. »
An easier route for travelers
Although this is a national initiative, some areas will not be affected by this measure for the time being. Nostalgics can therefore continue to punch their tickets for the Transilien, TER Sud Paca and TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine routes. As for the precise dates for the end of composting, we know for the moment that the change will be effective on the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes lines from 1er March 2023.
Ticket machines and composters will be equipped with stickers warning of the changes to come on the lines soon to be affected. In addition to the economic attractiveness, the SNCF boasts of a ” simpler and smoother passenger journey “. This remains to be proven, as it is quite often strewn with pitfalls by… capricious mobile applications. Enough to continue on our smartphones the anxiety caused by the good old terminals. At the SNCF, traditions are important and it is preserved.
Source : UFC-What to choose
2