Since its launch in 1981, TGV services have been the benchmark for high-speed trains in Europe, however TGV ridership has been threatened by growing cheaper long-distance coach and bus services.
“InOUI reflects the transformation of our passenger service which will spur growth throughout our pipeline,” says Rachel Picard, managing director at Voyages SNCF. “It also marks a new management approach for our 20,000 employees – men and women who work every day to deliver outstanding service to our customers.”
The move follows the creation of the OUIGO basic high speed rail service in 2013. It introduced low-cost, high-speed rail for travelers – from €5 for children and €10 for adults – in signature pink and blue train sets.
OUIGO provides a low-cost high-speed service and aims to capture 25 percent of the French high-speed rail market by 2020, while inOUI will offer premium high-speed rail travel.
The launch of inOUI will see a massive investment in rolling stock, including €1.5 billion in new Océane train sets between Paris and Bordeaux; more than 5,000 employees in customer-facing roles receiving specialized training to improve customer service; and, a significant investment in digital technology, with €300 million spent to equip all trains with Wi-Fi. Platform boarding and customer relations tools will be developed so that conductors can spend more time assisting travelers and delivering customized services.
This new offering will be rolled out line-by-line in the next 30 months, starting with the Paris-Bordeaux service on July 2. Paris-Lyon and Paris-Lille will follow later in 2017.
In 2017, SNCF anticipates that one-third of all high-speed passengers will choose the new inOui brand.
