From Monday, September 11, new rules will appear in French stations. SNCF wants to limit the size and number of bags allowed per person. Controls and fines are planned to enforce these new regulations.
SNCF wants to limit the number and size of luggage that each passenger can carry. However, these new rules, which will apply from Monday, September 16, are still not very clear to users. “There's a story about small bags, big bags, but I honestly don't have any more information.” declares to TF1 a young woman about to board her train at Montparnasse station in Paris. Along with our colleagues, another traveler is worried: “It's not necessarily good news. There must be reasons.”
The rule is that each passenger is allowed two large pieces of luggage, such as suitcases, and one piece of hand luggage. If this number is exceeded, the controller will have the right to impose a fine of EUR 50 on you. However, if the luggage is not included in the size standards imposed by the SNCF, a fine can also be applied. Thus, hand luggage must not exceed 30 cm x 40 cm x 15 cm and for “large” luggage, it will have a maximum size of 70 cm x 90 cm x 50 cm. The fine can even go up to €150 “if the luggage is inconvenient or dangerous”.
An increase in attendance cited as the main reason
Special luggage such as strollers, scooters, surfboards, snowboards or musical instruments are still accepted, but are considered large luggage.
“Our customers, but also our agents, can face either safety problems on board (falling suitcases), or circulation difficulties, or lack of space,” SNCF says to justify this measure. However, some passengers argue that the move could cause the train to lose one of its advantages over its air competitor. “Finally, if it becomes as restrictive in terms of luggage on the train as it is on the plane, I'll take the plane again,” explains a father to TF1, for example.
The railway company is dealing with the growing success of the train, with increasingly full and therefore saturated trains, especially during periods of major holiday departures. Baggage restrictions previously only applied to the TGV Ouigo, low-cost trains, without a bar car and only with non-refundable tickets.