Eurostar and Ouigo will not be able to repeat the SNCF slogan: “It’s up to us to make you prefer the train”. The Transport and Surroundings (T&E) think tank has in fact screened 27 companies on the continent according to various criteria and it is not good for these two companies.
The NGO evaluated a series of eight criteria to rank companies on medium- and long-distance routes, the most vital of which is price. reliability, available discount programs, compensation policies for delays, passenger experience and the existence of night trains or bicycle spaces are also taken into account.
Very poor value for money for the Eurostar
First observation: “the high price does not guarantee the quality of the service”, specifies the NGO. Eurostar charges prices twice as high as the European average, yet ranks 27th and last in the ranking. Below-average reliability (14th), the lack of a bike charging option, and just average performance compared to other evaluation criteria don’t make up for the prices charged.
On the contrary, Trenitalia (1st) and the Austrian company ÖBB (4th) offer the best value for money in Europe.In the general ranking, the Swiss company FFS is in second place, followed by the Czech RegioJet. SNCF achieved an honorable score and ranked fifth.
For all the companies evaluated, there remains a large margin for improvement, according to Victor Thévenet, coordinator of the study. In particular “to improve the reliability of railway services”, with delays and cancellations still too frequent.“Only 11 operators – out of 27 – have a punctuality higher than 80%”. On this criterion SNCF is only 11th and Ouigo 13th. Of note, Deutsche Bahn, the largest airline in Europe and plagued by serious punctuality problems due to an obsolete network, only comes in 25th place (16th combining all criteria).
Ouigo 25th out of 27
Ouigo, the low-cost subsidiary of SNCF, is one of the poorly ranked companies, ranking 25th out of 27, despite having some of the most competitive prices on the continent. Only the German Flixtrain does better in terms of prices. “The quality of the service is not up to speed at all,” complains Victor Thévenet, who insists on the numerous delays, the absence of reduced fares or a non-existent bicycle policy to explain Ouigo’s poor performance. Other companies such as RegioJet or Flixtrain, despite practicing “very low prices […] they manage to have a superior quality of service,” insists Victor Thévenet, who invites Ouigo to draw inspiration from their practices.
The SNCF, for its part, offers “good value for money” but there is room for improvement, because its prices remain high and “there are still reliability problems, cancellations and delays”.
What are the main factors affecting the rankings of European train operators?
Interview: Evaluating European train Services with Victor Thévenet from Transport & Environment
In this interview,the Time.news editor engages with Victor Thévenet, Coordinator of the Transport and Environment (T&E) think tank, to discuss the recent evaluation of European train services, shedding light on the implications for travelers and companies alike.
Time.news Editor (TNE): Victor, thank you for joining us today. Your organization recently released a report that ranks European train companies based on various criteria. Can you give us an overview of the ranking process?
Victor Thévenet (VT): Thank you for having me.Our evaluation screened 27 train companies across Europe, using eight criteria to assess their performance. the most critical factors included price, reliability, available discount programs, and passenger experience. We wanted to provide a clear picture of which companies offer the best value for money and where improvements are crucial.
TNE: Your findings suggest that Eurostar’s high prices don’t correlate with quality service.Can you elaborate on this?
VT: Absolutely. Eurostar charges prices that are nearly double the European average, yet they rank last in our study. They have below-average reliability at 14th overall and lack basic services like bike charging options. Higher prices do not guarantee a better service; in this case, it results in very poor value for money.
TNE: That’s quite a statement. Are there companies that are performing significantly better?
VT: Yes, there are several excellent companies. trenitalia tops our list,followed by the Swiss FFS and czech RegioJet. These operators not only provide a high quality of service but also more competitive pricing and better reliability. SNCF has an honorable position at fifth, but even they have room for improvement in terms of pricing and reliability.
TNE: Speaking of reliability, you mentioned that only 11 out of the 27 operators achieve a punctuality rate higher than 80%. How does this affect travelers?
VT: This is a important concern. Delays and cancellations are still prevalent in many services, including SNCF and Ouigo, which ranked 11th and 13th respectively in punctuality. This can lead to frustration for travelers relying on timely services. Our findings indicate that companies must focus on improving their reliability to attract and maintain passenger trust.
TNE: Ouigo seems to be struggling despite its competitive pricing. What are some specific issues contributing to its low ranking of 25th?
VT: Ouigo’s challenges stem from several factors. although they offer low fares, the quality of service is lacking. Frequent delays, an absence of discounted fares, and no bicycle policy are critical shortcomings.In contrast, other budget operators like RegioJet and Flixtrain offer low prices while maintaining a superior quality of service. Ouigo should learn from these companies to enhance their offerings.
TNE: This report shines a light on the entire industry’s need for improvement. What practical advice can you offer both travelers and train companies based on your findings?
VT: For travelers, it’s crucial to compare not just prices but also the overall value of service. Passengers should look for operators that excel in reliability and customer experience, even if they charge a little more. For train companies, the key takeaway is to prioritize service legitimacy—improving punctuality and enhancing customer service can lead to better public perception and increased patronage.
TNE: Thank you, Victor, for your insights. This evaluation certainly urges all players in the train industry to push for improvements that align with passenger expectations and standards.
VT: Thank you for having me. It is imperative that the industry evolves to meet the needs of today’s travelers for a enduring and efficient future in rail transport.
This insightful discussion with Victor Thévenet highlights the challenges and opportunities facing European train operators today, encouraging improvements that enhance the passenger experience while also promoting affordable travel.