SNCF will end the Autotrain!

It must be said that the Autotrain has lost many customers in the space of thirty years because of the development of highways. According to an internal document, it responds to a niche market where 90% of customers are over 60, wealthy, and use this service to reach their second home during holidays. Professionals represent only 4% of turnover. According to the SNCF, for the activity of the Autotrain to continue, it would be necessary to invest several million euros, something that the company is not ready to do.

With a fill rate of only 68% in 2018 (51% in 2017), Autotrain lost 6 million euros (which is equivalent to its turnover). For the business to become profitable, the fill rate should be greater than 85%, while increasing the tariffs. But customers are not ready to digest a rise in prices, 2/3 of customers consider that this service is already expensive paid.

Starting next year, Autotrain customers will have to find another alternative. SNCF points out that there is a start-up, Hiflow (ex Expedicar), which proposes to route your vehicle in three different ways. However, the rates are much higher than for the Autotrain. Indeed, to move a city car from Paris to Marseille, the service will cost you 98 euros if your car is driven by an individual, 735 euros by a professional driver and 394 euros if it is transported in a truck.