8 years ago I was also taking a trip on French regional railways, and writing blog posts about it
https://jonworth.eu/sncf-is-this-public-service/
The only thing that's changed? The screenshots from DB's website to demonstrate the problem looked more ugly back then 🙂
@jon France (as in: the state) has long given up, and seeing how that's not a major push even in the ecologist party, that's not likely to change soon and fast 😔
What each region does on it's turf.. yeah compare Fluo GrandEst to Mobigo BFC: the contrast is ridiculous.
Public service trains are not a luxury, ffs. They are the social backbone with the countryside, and everywhere where public service is removed, the extreme right wins votes..
Now whether this should be the rule is itself questionable. Whether indeed a train should be compulsory reservation is also questionable (and despite it being "sold out" on ticket portals, there are a few seats - presumably no shows)
But to simply get yourself to your destination in situations where you're not strictly in the right, but there is a reason, speaking to the train manager before they find you ALWAYS HELPS
I had all the documents on my laptop - the ticket, my reduction card, my partner's reduction card (both are the same, so the price she paid would have been the price I would have paid) and explained the situation
Strictly speaking, the train manager said, this is not allowed (and he is correct), but you came and found me and I accept your explanation
There was no way to change the name, and cancelling the ticket was too risky - because there was no guarantee I would then get the spot freed up
I have seen fines dished out on SNCF trains to people doing this in the past - but when the train manager found *them*
But I proactively went to find them, BEFORE THEY FOUND ME
Due to the total chaos trying to get to Bourgogne this morning, yesterday I made an error
It was not me, but my partner, who managed to secure literally the last ticket available on the TGV Paris-Montbard
So it is her name on the ticket, not mine
This is a quick thread about the one behaviour that, over and over, has saved me on my rail trips
*** *** ***
Proactively finding the train manager before they find you
*** *** ***
If you *ever* have some sort of grey area or absence of clarity, do this. *Always* do this
Gare de Lyon this morning
I needed to check something for a future trip at the ticket office
Elderly lady behind me, distraught
"I need to get to Laroche-Migennes, but I don't know how to do it!"
Employee looks perplexed
"Good luck!" I tell her. "Because that's where I am trying to go!"
https://jonworth.eu/sncf-and-bourgogne-franche-comte-a-railway-that-has-given-up/
Man stelle sich vor jemand aus der Regierung würde sich hinstellen und sagen: "Ab sofort werden Benzin und Diesel jedes Jahr automatisch 10% mehr kosten."
So in etwa fühlt man sich als Nutzer des Deutschlandtickets.
To put it mildly I am *hopping mad* at the situation facing me trying to get home tomorrow
"SNCF and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: a railway that has given up"
https://jonworth.eu/sncf-and-bourgogne-franche-comte-a-railway-that-has-given-up/
FRANCE HAS GIVEN UP
This is not a service you can rely on
They are NOT EVEN TRYING
The train has just become a nice to have
The *definition* of a regional train (known as TER in France) should be being able to turn up and get on
The *definition* of public service is the public should be able to rely on it
Normally on a Saturday there are TER trains Paris - Nuits-sous-Ravières every two hours, taking just over 2 hours
Tomorrow?
Works
A suitable bus?
HELL NO.
This is the timetable! 🤦♂️
(the early TGV to Montbard - not shown - is sold out)
@Tuuktuuk @jon What is somewhat silly, though, is the 06:20 (Swedish time) train from Haparanda. No train from Luleå has arrived that early. Or maybe they expect commuters from Tornio to Kemi or Oulu to use it, or people from Tornio continuing to central and southern Finland. I assume the train does stop at Tornio station? Which isn't very centrally located in Tornio, sure, but still.
So, the coming timetables for the trains from Finland to Haaparanta in Sweden have been published now. On working days two trains per day and direction. On Saturdays ("la") three, on Sundays ("su") three as well. Ol=Oulu, Hpa=Haaparanta.
Leaving 5:08 in the morning from Oulu is humoristic! But expected, as VR wants to prove passengers don't want to use this connection.
In practical terms there's one usable train per week: On Saturday.
(All times are in EET)
And there goes @maartje ‘s new train. The new European Sleeper Paris - Berlin! 🎉
And I have a #CrossBorderRail public event confirmed now
28th April, 14:00, in... Tirana 🇦🇱
Just in case I have any Mastodon followers there 🙂
And yes, to get there it's a train Beograd-Podgorica, then a bus Podgorica-Tirana.
To get away it's a bus Tirana-Durres, and a ferry Durres-Bari!
There's yield management
And there's WTF 🤯 yield management
Morning of Friday 5th June I need to go to either Bruxelles or Maastricht (I don't know which yet). If Maastricht I will change in Liège
Tickets then...
Paris - Bruxelles, Eurostar
€95 single, standard class
Paris - Liège, Eurostar
*SAME TRAIN, and FURTHER THAN BRUXELLES*
€39 single, standard class
