While the UK has seen ambition for a high-speed rail network collapse due to meddling politicians, in France and Germany the state-run railways are making train travel more appealing. SNCF and Deutsche Bahn respectively are seeking to attract more travellers out of their cars and planes and onto fast trains – using very different techniques.
French Railways’ budget brand Ouigo is aimed squarely at price-sensitive travellers. Some high-speed TGVs and “classic” conventional trains have been reconfigured with high-density seating. Other cost-saving measures and restrictions are deployed straight from the no-frills airline playbook.
