SNCF has been operating TGV high-speed services since November 5 at around 30-40% of pre-Covid levels. By comparison, SNCF reduced TGV InOui and Intercity services by 93% during the first lockdown following a collapse in demand from passengers.
TER regional trains are carrying about one-third of normal traffic and SNCF is adjusting service frequency according to the wishes of regional councils – typically around 70% of normal.
Services are likely to be restored over the Chritstmas period with French transport minister, Mr Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, instructing SNCF on November 17 to operate a full timetable from December 15 to January 4.
International services are currently severely limited; Eurostar is operating just one London - Paris and London - Amsterdam service per day; Thalys is providing two Paris - Brussels services with one running through to Amsterdam.
SNCF services are also limited between Paris - Frankfurt (two trains) and Paris - Geneva (two trains) with single trains on Paris - Stuttgart; Paris - Basle - Zürich; Paris - Barcelona; Lyon - Barcelona; and Paris - Milan routes.
