Faced with rapidly changing mobility patterns, EPF member FNAUT and IFOP decided to carry out a robust and accurate study to better understand the expectations of passengers and non-travelers alike when it comes to rail transport. The aim was to build up its expertise to better defend passengers.

Only one in two French people have used the train in the last 12 months

The real development potential for rail lies above all in the 100-300 km journeys that the French make by car. However, today, the train is perceived as an alternative to the car, especially for distances between 300 and 500 km (particularly in terms of speed, the possibility of doing other things during the journey…), and is then overtaken by the plane beyond 500km.

The train suffers from the image of being too expensive and not flexible enough. Conversely, it is perceived as comfortable, fast and easy or convenient to use. There is therefore considerable potential for a shift to rail if we can convince people of its advantages. To do this, we need to change the way the French look at the train: the lack of reliability and flexibility, but not only that…

• Trains have a number of advantages that can be promoted to non-users: you can do other things during the journey, they’re often faster than the car, and they’re comfortable.
• Strikes and other disruptions probably have a far greater impact on the French people’s perception of the train, than on the reality of travel. Awareness-raising campaigns on the subject could counterbalance this trend.

75% of non-train users feel that they often or systematically prefer another means of transport, even though they could use the train for journeys of over 100 km.

Access to stations is also a major obstacle

77% of French people think it’s difficult to park their car at the station and then take the train (no parking or parking too expensive).
66% of French people think it’s difficult to park their bike securely at the station.
62% of French people think it’s unpleasant to walk to the station.

Train users’ main expectations focus on price and quality of service

Price is the main barrier to train use, with 53% of French people placing this criterion in the TOP 5 most important when considering a mode of transport, but only 34% agreeing that the train is a cheap mode of transport.

Non-train users could be encouraged by low/predictable fares, less disruption (especially strikes) and less insecurity.

🌍 Press release (in French)

💡 Infographic (in French)