Who is SNCF?

SNCF operates both passenger and freight trains. In 2016 it recorded revenues of 32.3 billion Euros, a third of which came from international markets. Its high-speed division recorded 7.5 billion Euros in turnover last year. Of that, 27% came from international operations, with 27 million passengers carried on HS trains outside of France.

The company operates in 120 countries and employs 260,000 staff. There are six core businesses: SNCF Réseau (management and operation of the French rail network); SNCF Voyageurs (commuter transport in the Paris region, regional and inter-city public transport, highspeed rail in France and Europe); SNCF Gares & Connexions (management and development of stations); SNCF Logistics (freight transport and logistics worldwide); Keolis (mass transit and public transport in Europe and worldwide); and SNCF Immobilier (management and optimization of SNCF property and land assets).

It operates the largest fleet of high-speed trains in Europe (almost 430) and, not including Thalys or Eurostar, runs around 700 high-speed rail journeys per day in France and internationally at speeds of up to 320 km/h, which is the fastest in Europe.

SNCF has operated TGV services since 2013, and in that same year launched Ouigo, a low-cost HS service.

In 2011, SNCF partnered with Keolis to bid for the InterCity West Coast franchise, but was unsuccessful. SNCF owns 70% of Keolis (Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund; public pension plans in the province of Quebec own the other 30%). Keolis, in turn, owns 35% of Govia, which operates the Govia Thameslink Railway concession and London Midland franchises. Keolis also held a 45% share in First TransPennine Express from February 2004 until FirstGroup won the deal outright last year. It partnered with Eurostar to bid for the InterCity East Coast franchise but was unsuccessful.

Keolis also operates the Nottingham Express Transit system as part of a consortium, and began running Docklands Light Railway as part of a consortium in 2014. It will start running the Manchester Metrolink concession in July.