From 8:00 p.m. this Thursday, and until Monday morning, TGV and Intercités traffic will be severely disrupted with the circulation of one train in two due to the controllers’ strike. An exceptional measure is planned for impacted customers. But some will be excluded.
Very bad news for those who planned to take the train this weekend during the school holiday period. Due to a strike by controllers, only one in two TGVs will run from this Thursday at 8 p.m. until Monday February 19 at 8 a.m.
Customers whose trip is canceled will be notified 48 hours before departure. Yesterday, Wednesday, the director of TGV-Intercités, Alain Krakovitch, unveiled an “exceptional commercial measure”. Namely “the possibility of being able to make your next trip at -50%”.
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One month to enjoy 50% off
“These customers will automatically receive, within one month, a code giving entitlement to 50% off a future trip, provided they book it within 30 days. No additional steps are required,” explains the SNCF.
This measure concerns the 300,000 customers who will be penalized by the strike due to the cancellation of their train. A half-price ticket that injured customers can obtain even if they are reimbursed because they will not be able to leave or even if they were able to exchange their trip for another trip.
“Those whose trains are canceled due to lack of on-board staff will benefit from: a free exchange on all TGVs where there is space until Monday February 19 (and there are still around 300,000 tickets for sale on the TGV circulating); or a 100% refund of the ticket price, if the customer cancels their trip planned between Friday February 16 and Monday February 19 inclusive,” explains the SNCF.
How to get reimbursed?
Regarding reimbursement, here is the procedure to follow: “If you receive an email or SMS telling you that your train has been cancelled, you should preferably use the channel for purchasing your ticket to obtain a refund, SNCF Connect or agencies in line, 36 35 or go to the station,” explains the SNCF.
“Over these three days of strike, we are expecting several thousand travelers and undoubtedly all French people will be able to leave if they manage to postpone their journey,” said the CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, Christophe Fanichet, on Thursday.
Despite everything, this commercial gesture is significantly less generous than the 200% of the ticket price granted during the strike at the end of 2022.
Furthermore, this 50% reduction on the ticket price granted this time does not concern MAX ACTIVE, MAX ACTIF+, MAX JEUNE, MAX SENIOR, iDTGVMAX2 and High Speed Line Package customers. Customers who have purchased a Group ticket of more than 9 people via an online site or in an agency are invited to contact their agency or sales contact for information.