The summer of all transport

In France, the weight of the transport market is substantial. In 2017, all transport accounted for a total expenditure of “386 billion euros” according to a study by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition (1). In other words, transport weighed 17.3% of French GDP. A share of GDP that has been as important as ever since. Of course, three-quarters of transportation costs are for the car. Rail transport accounted for about 7% in 2017, as did air transport (1). Individuals essentially use their cars to get to work. Many French people, however, also use public transport, including trains. For holiday departures, the inhabitants of France prefer rail, air and even sea transport.

In a context of health crisis where all travel was at the death weight, what prospects, by the end of 2020, can the transport market aspire?

Train traffic, a much-anticipated recovery

The most popular public transport sector

The rail transport sector is one of the most used “collective” transport. Indeed, “with 100.1 billion passenger-kilometres transported, passenger rail transport, excluding Eurotunnel shuttles, accounts for 54.4% of public transport” according to INSEE (2).

Many people travel by TER, TGV or OUIGO nowadays, with a professional objective. Indeed, for some French people who live on the outskirts of major metropolises, SNCF’s railways are the most popular travel option.

Economical and time-saving, rail transport is the alternative to the French’s favourite car. Not to mention that this practice reduces CO2 emissions. Indeed, the ecological footprint of these transports is much less than that of cars.

A historic turning point for the rail industry

The Covid-19 crisis marked a turning point in railway history. Indeed, confined and most in telework or partial unemployment; very few French people physically went to work. In addition, the traffic of many public transit was reduced.

The lack of capacity of trains, trams, buses or subways during this period of confinement was very unprecedented.

It is with impatience but distrust that the French of all france have resumed the path of rail transport to de-containment.

Today, the traffic rate of TERs and TGVs is gradually returning to normal. This has not always been the case. On the day of the de-confinement, May 11, 2020; only 50% of the TERs across New Aquitaine were in circulation.

This partial and then more and more total recovery was necessary. The railway market wanted above all to bring safety and adapting trains adapted to its customers. For this reason, the wearing of masks is mandatory, as well as ground markings at some stations are applied to respect social distance.

Road transport, weakened by the Covid-19

The freight sector has been booming in recent years. Over-consumption boosts the activity of truck drivers.

Traveling hundreds of kilometres a day and crossing many countries, truck drivers are now part of the landscape of French motorways.

This heavy traffic fell sharply with the Covid-19, especially during the containment. The activity was mostly at total shutdown, for others partial.

It was at the dawn of the deconfinement that the activity was able to regain its rights on the roads. The sector has reorganized its business. He has adapted many working hours. In addition, employees are seeing a real increase in their working days and overtime.

These decisions have been carefully considered in order to meet the needs of the country’s economic recovery plan. Indeed, “several texts have been published in particular to allow traffic on Sundays, increase driving times etc…” National Federation of Road Carriers (FNTR) (3).

After a period of severely slowing down, it is a good thing that such a dynamic recovery is taking place.

A gradual resumption of air transport

After a recent trend in air commercial freight

Like all transportation sectors, the airline sector is doing well. The freight sector is increasingly demanding it, even if always on a smaller scale than trucks. According to INSEE, commercial air freight is “up 1.5% at the end of December 2018 compared to the end of December 2017” (4). This sharp increase can be explained in particular by an increase in exports.

The French know how to adapt and evolve the instruments they have at their disposal, in the most productive way possible.

The challenge of post-confinement departures

A gradual reactivation of the air routes is taking place. The aviation sector must respect the restrictions related to the country’s health situation, but also take into account the international context.

The highest safety and hygiene standards have also been put in place for each flight.

The airline industry is still thinking about the pleasure of the summer holidays and the departure of the French. That’s why Vueling, an airline of the IAG Group, is offering two routes from Bordeaux this summer. The first is for Barcelona and the second is for Palma de Mallorca.

Although impacted by containment, the transportation market keeps its head above water. Each sub-sector adapts and offers alternatives to the movement of the French. Transportation is an integral part of the daily life of the French, regardless of the form. That’s why the transportation industry is redoubling its efforts to provide continuous and safe service. It does not forget the holidays of its inhabitants; a luxury for many of them this summer.

Sources

SNCF: www.sncf.com/fr

Vueling: www.vueling.com/fr

  1. Key transport figures, 2018, from the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition: https://www.statistiques.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2018-10/datalab-31-chiffres-cles-transport-mars2018-c.pdf
  2. Passenger transport, March 23, 2019, from INSEE: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/3676874?sommaire=3696937
  3. FNTR Survey: Economic Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on the TWRT sector, FNTR, April 1, 2020: https://www.fntr.fr/espace-presse/actualites-agenda/enquete-fntr-impact-economique-de-la-crise-covid-19-sur-le-secteur
  4. Taerial ransport, from INSEE, 6 June 2019: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4160516?sommaire=4160760
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