Ouigo - Cheap TGV journeys

[Polarbear]

Hi all

I can't see that there's an existing thread about this;

http://www.ouigo.com/fr

A cheap & cheerful way of getting around France at high speed "a la Ryanair". No buffet or 1st class but fares from as little at 10 euro one way.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

...and a 30 minute minimum check in!

 

[jopsuk]

They've repainted a small number of Duplex sets (presumably having taken the buffet out of use and replaced 1st with standard class seating) in an 'orrible sky blue colour scheme

 

[gazthomas]

Still SNCF.

They are taking an interesting approach to the market place, creating lots of brands to compete against the self. Long distance coaches too of course.

 

[MCR247]

They've repainted a small number of Duplex sets (presumably having taken the buffet out of use and replaced 1st with standard class seating) in an 'orrible sky blue colour scheme

I think it looks ok!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chantalm/8493673808/

Interesting that some carriages seem to have a 3+1 seating layout

http://www.ouest-france.fr/photos/2013/02/19/130219130117408_6_000_apx_470_.jpg

 

[jopsuk]

If they don't have the buffet facilities, I wonder what's actually in that vehicle- as it is clearly still in the formation. Is that weird 3+1 seating in the upstairs of that car?

 

[MCR247]

I can't see the image I posted on my phone but I believe it was downstairs

 

[cgcenet]

Many European high-speed rail operators already apply aspects of the low-cost-airline ticketing model, with everything bookahead-only, extreme yield management and no proper through-ticketing, so I suppose check-in (although Eurostar already does this) and charging for baggage make the next logical step. Not desirable though. It is difficult to see the rationale for charging for baggage on a train; as I understand it the justification for the strict baggage allowances on planes is their much greater weight-sensitivity than trains. But then, the low-cost airline model has long ceased to be about eliminating the non-essential aspects ('frills') of the journey, and instead is primarily about ever more creative ways of fleecing unsuspecting passengers.

 

[jopsuk]

This though is different, with it using a dedicated "no frills" fleet and using the out-of-town stations

 

[stut]

Interesting that some carriages seem to have a 3+1 seating layout

AIUI, these are converted first class carriages. The easiest way to install the TER-grade seating here was to use this arrangement.

Good for groups and families, but I'd hate to end up in that middle seat!

The check-in will be similar to the current "iDTGV" services. The idea is there is minimal staff onboard, so ticket/luggage checks take place at the station (as French stations aren't gated). It normally works quite well for iDTGV, but if there are platform allocation issues (like at Paris-Lyon or Paris-Est), it can result in an awful last-minute rush.