Of the 700,000 passes hoped for, only 235,000 were sold. The gap is wide, especially for a project with 80% government support and a total cost of €15 million. In a complicated budgetary context, it was difficult to extend the experiment without a massive return. Some regions, such as Île-de-France, had preferred to stay away, relying on their own formula: the Navigo pass, then offered at €86.40 per month.
Disappointing experiment for the Youth Rail Pass
Beyond disappointing sales, the Rail Pass suffered from practical flaws. Excluding TGV (Inoui and Ouigo) was understandable to avoid cost overruns, but it seriously limited long-distance travel options. In addition, the pass did not include urban transport, forcing users to purchase additional tickets to travel within the city or between stations. Not very practical for those hoping to travel light, without multiplying costs.
The end of the Rail Pass comes at a time when regional trains have never been so busy. In 2023, TER and Intercités trains saw their passenger numbers increase by 21% compared to 2019, according to the Transport Regulatory Authority. But not everyone benefits equally: in some regions, the offer is extensive and efficient; in others, trains are becoming rarer, making travel less easy for young people in rural areas.
And then, many regions had already taken the lead. In Occitanie, for example, young people can travel free on liO trains after 11 journeys per month. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 50% discounts are offered with options like the "Youth Ticket" or the "Subscriber Pass -28." Inevitably, compared to these local alternatives, the national Rail Pass lost some of its appeal.
Some rail advocates believe the project was shelved too quickly. With a late launch and overly ambitious targets, 235,000 passes sold would already be a good start. Others point out that the French approach, limited to two summer months and a specific age group, lacked ambition. Abroad, Germany launched its "Deutschlandticket" at 58 euros per month, valid year-round, with no age limit, and across the entire regional and urban network. Result: massive adoption and a profound change in travel habits.
In France, the Ministry of Transport now prefers to focus on "other, more structural transformations": expanding the train offering, improving the quality of service, and encouraging regions to develop their own pricing policies for young people.
0 Comments