Tax: light drinks would not be spared

The fans thought they were lights beverage spared the tax on soft drinks made by the Government in late August. Did not count on a UMP Amendment / New Centre approved in committee Wednesday as part of the review of the draft budget 2012. While the amount of tax on sugary soft drinks is on track to be doubled, MPs are now looking to expand the scope of this tax on soda beverages containing sweeteners.

The government, which did not include this option in the first place, now says not to exclude the idea. "It is the wishes of the parliament, we will discuss," said the spokesman of the government, Valérie Pécresse, on the set of Canal + on Thursday.

The stakes are high for the government because the sugar-free drinks, but with sweeteners that give a sweet taste, is increasingly consumed.Today, they account for 17% of the soft drinks market with strong brands like Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

No figures have yet been provided about the extra tax revenue that would generate this new amendment, if adopted in plenary session. The previous amendment adopted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, to double the amount of tax, also remains to be validated by all the members. By itself, it could generate a windfall estimated at 250 million euros a year, instead of 120 million euros initially planned. The rate of contribution on the sodas would be increased to 6.22 euros per hectolitre in 2012.Then he would be raised from the beginning of 2013, to January 1 of each year, at a rate equal to inflation (excluding tobacco) in the penultimate year.

Support the agricultural sector

As announced in the Figaro, the objective of this expansion drinks with sweeteners is to finance the lower cost of agricultural labor "to allow our farmers to sell their products at the same price as Germany and Spain" explains Valérie Pécresse payday advances. The government has in fact reduced in 2012 from 210 million payroll taxes on permanent farms. The tax will be reviewed and corrected to about half.

The industrial problems digesting the news. "We said from the beginning that it was normal to participate, provided that everyone involved in the fight against deficits.Simply, we do not want to be the adjustment variable of all the deficits that pass and on which we have not much to see, "said Jean-Rene Buisson, president of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania ). The doubling of the tax sodas would, he said, an estimated increase "between 0.2 and 0.3 cents" per can.

No problem for Michel Diefenbacher UMP (UMP): "These drinks, which are not basic necessities, benefit from the reduced VAT rate.They must be able to withstand the additional load generated by this new contribution, "says he in a sub-amendment.

But for now, nothing is yet definitively confirmed nor on the doubling of the tax, nor about its extension to drink with sweeteners.

End of aspartame in system U

The distribution group Système U has chosen to abandon the use of aspartame in soft drinks sold under any brand, starting in January. For the first time a manufacturer makes such a decision. This choice responds to the concerns of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the effects of this artificial sweetener.

Système U has already banned the use of parabens in cosmetics and Teflon in cookware. Its chairman Serge Papin, expresses his desire to "become a leader in healthy products."

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Barroso wants to recapitalize "emergency" banks

"The speed of the European Union should not be that of its slowest member," hammered José Manuel Barroso on Tuesday before the European Parliament. In the aftermath of the rejection of strengthening the European Fund for assistance to indebted countries (EFSF) by the Slovak Parliament, the President of the European Commission urged member countries to continue efforts to stop the contagion of sovereign debt crisis in the area euro. Jose Manuel Barroso called for a recapitalization "emergency" banks as part of a "roadmap" gathering proposals from the Commission to support the banking sector.The latter, weakened by the debt crisis, is under pressure from the collapse of the Franco-Belgian Dexia facility.

Bank recapitalization should be conducted in a "coordinated" by members of the euro area to counter "the threat of systemic crisis that is taking shape," said José Manuel Barroso. Specifically, it proposes to raise the minimum capital "hard" of banks, without giving precise figures. To achieve this, banks must first use of private sources of funding and, if necessary, seek the support of the national authority. If the state is not able to provide the necessary assistance to the bank, a loan will be contracted by the EFSF.

In the absence of recapitalization, the banks should not pay bonuses or dividends, said Jose Manuel Barroso.Their exposure to sovereign debt should be evaluated "in a transparent manner overnight pay day loans."

The EFSF, rose to be replaced mid-2012

In addition, the sixth tranche of aid to Greece must be paid, said the President of the Commission. The country should also get a second loan that would be based on "sufficient funding for the participation of public and private sectors."

Other Commission proposals: the EFSF must be increased to "maximize" his strike force. This must be done through a "leveraged" with no financial guarantees for new states. In addition, Jose Manuel Barroso called again to accelerate the establishment of permanent mechanism should succeed the EFSF. The "European Financial Stability Mechanism" (MES) is projected by the President of the Commission, to take effect mid-2012, not mid-2013 as planned.With 500 billion euros of lending capacity, this mechanism would directly buy the debt of the states in the primary market, not like today only in loans.

Finally, José Manuel Barroso is also income, without naming them, the "Eurobonds", or "Eurobonds", mentioned as a solution to the debt crisis. The Commission will present by the end of the year, a proposal to allow the creation of the "obligations of stability."

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Action Housing continues the state court

Having long raged about the punctures of the State Budget, Action Housing, the former 1% housing, just go on the offensive. Reportedly, the joint body attacked last Friday before the Paris Administrative Court of the State's decision to withdraw 3.7 billion euros between 2009 and 2011. These funds are used to finance the Anah (National Housing) and ANRU (National Renewal). "We made an informal appeal with the government against the decree fixing the puncture but we never received a reply, said Jean-Pierre Guillon, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Action Housing. We decided to attack the government for abuse of power. "

Smart devices

If Action Housing is the case in court today is with an idea behind the head.Last July, the government has said that he would collect 3.25 billion euros over the period 2012-2014. To sweeten the pill, the Secretary of State for Housing, Benoist Appeared, has committed to implement clever financial engineering to boost the cash flow of Action Housing. "But we have no documents indicating that commitment forward Jean-Pierre Guillon. If the minister changed, the following may not feel bound by that promise. "More generally, Action Housing, which collects 0.45% of payroll companies, believes that this aspiration will prevent it from fulfilling its mission . For example, he does not see how it could fund 45,000 homes for young people as he had promised a few months ago.

With this lawsuit, it seeks to pressure the state to be released in the coming weeks the decree laying down the drain of 3.25 billion between 2012 and 2014.

Ghosn's efforts to regain Renault

Came one week in Brazil to announce the expansion of the Renault plant in Curitiba (Parana State) and the creation of a site for Nissan in Resende (Rio de Janeiro), Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both companies, was welcomed as a head of state in his homeland.

Last Saturday, the President of the Republic, Dilma Roussef movement shifted to receive it. "We are very proud of you," she would have slipped to the one she considers the child in the country. He also had dinner in an atmosphere of "friendship" with the two governors of states where the group operates, before signing the agreements in their luxurious palaces. Finally, it was applauded by the workers of Curitiba, massed on the lawn of a sunny site, which he wrote a speech.

Relaxed as ever, we feel in his element."It's good to be true that in Brazil," said the globe-trotting owner, who was about to visit this weekend to his mother and two sisters, who live on site. For him, this country is a paradise full development. Here, as in China, "we prefer to see what will, while in Europe the focus is on what's wrong."

Yet it is this gloomy old continent – particularly in France, where he is idolized as far from Japan, China or Brazil – that he decided to spend more time, "pulling consequences "of the false espionage earlier this year.

For many, this fiasco was proof that the owner of two companies whose headquarters are located 10,000 kilometers away, was disconnected from the reality of Renault.Many employees, union representatives, but also members of the government, which accused him of favor at the expense of Renault Nissan, having sought to speed up the relocation.

"Today I am more present in France," he says, whereas previously the Hexagon was only 35% to 40% of its schedule. Nissan is going at full speed in China or the United States, Carlos Ghosn promised then to look at the head of Renault, less efficient no fax pay day loans. Japanese sales are expected to double according to him between 1999 and 2011, reaching 4.8 million units, while those of Renault have increased marginally over the period (2.6 million last year). Goal back on track in Europe, where sales of the group fell by 10.6% over the first 8 months of the year.But also boost the image of a registered design banal and lacking in high-end models.

One patron

"Pragmatic," Carlos Ghosn admits he made mistakes. "I was probably too delegate and I paid the consequences," he admits. "One of the problems at Renault, is that people felt that there were two bosses. There must be only one boss, and that's me, "he insists. As a result, the CEO, for whom the "management of Renault changed," "regained control of a number of operations" as the high end, human resources, communication or the ethics committee . He also concedes that the crisis has had under "to clean up relations" with the state (which holds 15% stake) and make the company "more mature".

Be present at the headquarters of Renault and be first in line, that is precisely what the CEO had promised, after the reorganization of the group in late May, which had weighed heavily on the government. Paying for his handling of the "case", Patrick Pelata, Renault's number two, had been set aside in favor of Carlos Tavares.

Mechanically, the scope of responsibility of Carlos Tavares, his number two has narrowed compared to that of his predecessor. "It has fewer powers," but of "autonomy in what remains," said Carlos Ghosn.

The question is whether the iconic CEO will honor its commitments over time. One thing is certain, it is restore the image of the diamond brand in Europe find it in France a strong credit started this winter.

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Crisis: CEOs more pessimistic than in 2008

Worse than the fall of 2008, "58% of business leaders consider an inevitable deterioration in the economic situation," according to the survey conducted in 2011 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris (CCIP). This survey was conducted during September, with 5000 businesses with fewer than 500 employees, representing the economic fabric of Ile de France and the country as a whole. There were only 48% of patrons to express such a fear in September 2008, at the time of the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, which would trigger a few months later a global recession – in France, in particular, GDP declined by 2.5% in 2009.

A remake of 2008-2009 is in everyone's head. But comparison is not right."Companies now have to pay much less than in 2008 and stocks the contrary, they have much better treasuries, said Pierre-Antoine Gailly, President of the CCIP. For the whole of France, their current account deposits at banks now amount to 180 billion euros, 20 billion more than in 2008. "

The CCIP also notes that if the concern that banks limit access to credit are large, this fear has not yet materialized. Moreover, the dreaded cold snap on the situation at the moment is focused on Europe, while in 2008 it had distributed instantly worldwide. Clearly the multiplier effects that had abruptly fired three years ago now seem less formidable.The current crisis follows a phenomenon much more confidence that it reflects a mechanical depression guaranteed unsecured personal loan.

Bring to a faster response to the crisis in Greece

Thinning can therefore act only through a return of confidence, it says in the CCIP. First in Europe: it is faster to make a response to the crisis in Greece and more generally to uncertainties in the sovereign debt.

Second key point: the situation of banks and their ability to finance the economy. There also should clarify the situation, including the definition of the application of Basel III on capital requirements.

Third dimension, unique to France, the presidential campaign. She never held in such a climate of economic turmoil, with what is more significant questions about a possible alternate.Two factors, by definition, anxiety, do you recognize the CCIP where one refrains from taking sides of course on the merits. Much will depend on the conduct of the presidential campaign, knowing that in times of uncertainty the temptation of inaction is great for business.

Everything will be in the speech

The survey conducted last September marked a sharp decline in climate, especially in SMEs. The synthetic indicator currently stands at 91 down from 106 in September 2006, at the last presidential campaign for SMEs. For larger companies, this indicator is 96 against 104 five years ago. While governments have no fiscal space to influence the deal, everything will be in the speech. The power of words never been so great.

Refinery strike threat to hard Berre and elsewhere …

As soon as the announcement by LyondellBasell Tuesday in council, the forthcoming closure of the Berre refinery, which employs 370 people, of all 1270 employees of a petrochemical site voted renewed strike of 24 hours. "More than a thousand employees, including much of the leadership, voted to stop all of the site, that is to say the refinery, but also units of petrochemical and oil depots, and blocking of entrances and exits, "said Patrick Sciurca, spokesman of the Inter (CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC, FOR, CFTC). "We're dealing with rogue bosses. They force us to take tough positions that we can further tighten, "says the union.CGT announced yesterday that the general meetings will be held in all French refineries this morning.

In 2010, the area was paralyzed by a social movement in response to the announcement of the closure of the Flanders refinery, operated by Total in Dunkirk freecreditscore. At the time, the conflict had disrupted fuel distribution in France.

At Berre, the sale of the refinery achieved no result, LyondellBasell prefer to stop the costs: it has indeed lost 400 million euros since its acquisition in 2008 and is expected to be € 120 million deficit in 2012 . "It's the only number that management has given us. They are unable to tell us what results come out the whole site with or without the refinery while a McKinsey study estimated that closing the refinery would deprive downstream from the site of 80 million margin of integration " , Patrick gets upset Sciurca.

Your money is of interest to banks and the State

"Frankly speaking, I am interested in your money." All those who lived through the 1970s and 1980s remember the shock of the BNP slogan, which even then was nationalized. No bank would dare to go now so funny and cynical investors. Yet that is what is happening in practice. While the international financial markets flageolent, banks have flared up the race for deposits in the Hexagon.Are there in fact more convenient way to strengthen its balance sheet to use the savings of the French? Crédit Agricole and Crédit Mutuel, among others, have increased their advertising in favor of ELP, the savings plan housing new way: these deposits are considered by the now famous Basel Committee, responsible for defining prudential norms – as quasi-equity for financial institutions.

Banks are not the only ones eyeing the nest egg lights. The state is known, has an unquenchable thirst for money. The temptation is great to draw from as well. Jérôme Chartier, MP Val-d'Oise, has proposed that individuals have the opportunity to subscribe directly to the obligations of the State, Treasury bonds (OAT). "We could start with finance and 10% of total annual loan of 220 billion euros," he suggests.It envisages a system of subscription on the Internet to avoid the costs inherent in banking networks, including management fees may represent an additional 1% (plus interest).

The project is not entirely new. It was piloted in 1994 by the Balladur government: the Treasury reserving a specific tranche "OAT individual" in its broadcasts. This financial instrument was abandoned in 2006 due to attract customers. The "widow of Carpentras" (the small investor) preferred then feed the bubble stock exchanges, judging the performance of OAT profitable enough, recalls one at Bercy.For its part, the Treasury was less expensive to seek international investors.

In the red for nine years

Change of scenery in 2011: local savings find the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie when the foreign markets on which the Agency France Trésor is currently funding two-thirds of the debt of the State, may be closed like an oyster. "In Italy and Japan, the holding of public debt by individuals is important, between 10% and 15% of their financial wealth, whereas in France it is ridiculous," said Professor André Babeau, which publishes this week his new book (the financial behavior of the French by Editions Economica) business card.However, he rejects the proposal made by Edouard Balladur last spring to create a sinking fund debt based on perpetual bonds placed in the public and paid at the rate of A booklet with the same tax exemption. "Will he go to the forced loan, a formula that had not even been used in three major loans from the First World War?" He quips.

The French are often presented as a nation of ants with a sense of the economy, but it is largely an illusion. Their financial wealth is certainly valued by the Bank of France in 3643 billion (31 December 2010), more than twice the amount of the debt.Better last year households "putting money left" to the tune of 207 billion euros, according to the INSEE (the savings is the difference between disposable income, after tax, and what is spent on consumption).

The gross saving rate of individuals is thus one of the world's highest (15.1% of their income) while the State and other jurisdictions have charged at the same time an overall deficit of 136.5 billion francs (in 2010). The contrast is striking. The French seem virtuous individual, when it comes to managing their own money. But it is brought to vice, in any case the prodigal when he is in the community and the public finances are."The State, this great social fiction through which everyone endeavors to live at the expense of others," concluded the polemicist already Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850), apostle of liberalism.

Should be taken into account simultaneously all these elements to assess the situation. It appears that "France is not a global investor," says André Babeau. When calculating the surplus individuals, public sector deficits and financing needs of businesses, the House France has a deficit of 42 billion external euros (in 2010). And for nine years, the country continues to be in red.

The deposit within the French savings banks look at him with lust and the state could make a guarantee of national independence and the markets stateless. But clearly, the jackpot can not be used twice.Even banks and insurance companies are fighting to capture the windfall, where the ebb of life insurance in recent months. The State will be there the third robber in the story?

Canal + TV enters the plain by buying Direct 8

Canal + has crossed the Rubicon and wants to become a major player in free television in France. Thursday, the group led by Bertrand Meheut announced the takeover of Direct 8 Direct and Star, two DTT channels free of the Bolloré Group. Initially, Canal + buys 60% stake in the TV division of Bolloré Media and awards it operational control. In three years, he may redeem the remaining shares. The operation was buckled in 48 hours! "I know and appreciate for a long time the leaders of Vivendi, Jean-René Fourtou and Jean-Bernard Levy, and Bertrand Meheut, CEO of Canal +.I am very pleased to be associated with such a good team, "said Vincent Bollore, Bollore Group CEO.

Gone are the days when the giants were the audiovisual respect the Yalta on TV: TF1 and M6 to the largest piece of the free TV, Canal + in the world of pay-TV and its 11 million subscribers. In France, the two families have substantially the same size: just over 3 billion euros for free TV financed by advertising and about $ 4 billion to pay.

After struggling for years to ensure a near-monopoly on pay TV (up to buy its rival TPS), it will not take long to Bertrand Meheut to tumble into force on the television commercial. Now a subsidiary of Vivendi will have three frequencies of DTT: iTV, Direct 8 Direct and Star.Be as much as TF1 and M6 more than the group which, in addition to the namesake chain, has only W9. For Bertrand Meheut, this operation meets the logic of "creating strong audiovisual groups able to defend themselves both on the live broadcast on the non-linear over the Internet. This will increase the value of our programs will experience an exclusive first exhibition in pay and free TV in a second. And pay-TV business is our heart. "

465 million for Bolloré

If this sounds like a declaration of war groups TF1 and M6, the marginalized, at the same time, the few independent French media landscape, and BFMTV NRJ12. With the launch of DTT in 2005, the Higher Audiovisual Council wanted to bring new players in the PAF: Bolloré Group AB, NextRadioTV and NRJ Group.But since the first two have sold their frequencies. Claude Berda NT1 and TMC has given its ally TF1. Bolloré sells Direct 8 Direct and Star in Canal +. The two remaining independent are the big losers. For its part, Bolloré Media made a good deal. Since 2005 he has invested hundreds of millions of euros in Live 8 and 70 million euros for the acquisition of Direct Star. Five years later, it enhances its flagship TV to 465 million euros! The channel Direct 8, mini-general, would be about 350 to 400 million euros. Direct Star would be a hundred. "We have successfully completed the first phase by creating Direct 8 from scratch and placing it among the first of TNT.But for the second phase, which will see all the media groups to engage in significant competition on the content, we decided to partner with a large broadcasting group, "said Vincent Bolloré. The myth of an audiovisual largely open to competition turns into a clash between three private-TF1, M6 and Canal + – and a public group, France Televisions. With their financial firepower, the first three will fight a war without thank you for the acquisition of content.

Add to this a sharp competition for advertising. Canal + now has a board weighing 400 million. Bertrand Meheut is trying to calm things down by stating that "this partnership does not change the industrial landscape, since we are in the continuity of existing channels. We are small in this market for free TV. "He recalled that "TF1 and M6 are, conversely, present in the pay television." It is unclear whether this is enough to calm things down, because, at the same time, the president of Canal Plus says it does not want to "abandon its free channel Canal 20" under channel offset. In this case, Canal +, which exceeds the number of authorized frequencies (maximum seven), should sell two. "It will sell certain frequencies paying," he says. The chain may be referred planet, present on the DTT.

This comes on the eve of the presentation of the report of Michel Boyon, president of CSA, the future of DTT. It is now a fait accompli. The media landscape is recomposed without him. If Canal + bought Direct 8 Direct and Star, the future of DTT is widely drawn.The TF1 group is in a strong position to demand not only the transfer of its news channel LCI of DTT (where it is marginalized) to DTT. But Nonce Paolini, CEO of TF1, claim compensation as a string, which should be TV Breizh. For its part, the M6, if he will not be weakened, will support its claims. He also wants to transform its pay DTT channel Paris Première chain free. And he also wants compensatory chain among its two projects WikiTV M6 family.

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The Paris stock exchange plunges into the red

The Paris Bourse widening its losses. After an opening down 1.19%, the CAC 40 drops 2.43% to 3186.47 points in mid-session and switches under the 3200 points. In Frankfurt, the Dax lost 2.07% while in London, the FTSE loose 1.68%.

The day after a volatile session, which however ended with a small increase, investors are very cautious. On Friday, early afternoon is indeed expected U.S. monthly report on employment. This will be the only highlight of the day."There is not a measure of uncertainty before the employment figures to be published, while the fact that U.S. markets are preparing for a long weekend encourages traders to reduce their short positions," Camron says Peacock, an analyst at IG Markets.

As on Wall Street, who finished the day sharply lower yesterday, as investors take profits after four sessions of consecutive increases. This morning, Asian markets also followed this trend.

In addition to wait before the report was released, traders were disappointed by U.S. indexes mixed. The weekly jobless claims have fallen and certainly the contraction was avoided in the manufacturing sector, but construction costs and productivity plummeted.In addition, the White House confirmed the pessimism about the weakness of the recovery across the Atlantic in scaling back its growth forecasts.

Hesitation in oil markets

As for the oil markets, prices causes a wait of a dispersed way. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October lost 2 cents to 88.91 dollars a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gained 19 cents to 114.48 dollars. In addition to the jobs report, investors feared the consequences of the violent disruption Katia approaching the U.S. coast. In the Gulf of Mexico, BP, ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell began evacuating their staff from oil platforms. The Gulf of Mexico provides a quarter of the production of black gold in the United States.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro has stabilized at 1.4238 dollar.Yesterday, the European single currency fell sharply against the dollar, within the scope of renewed concerns vis-à-vis the health of the euro area, where industrial activity contracted in August, contrary to United States.

Rising energy costs caused a 0.5% increase in producer prices in July in the euro area, as expected, but overall inflationary pressures subside to the extent that the economy of the skate zone.

Values ​​to follow

France Telecom: -0.96% to 13.36 euros

The operator has received numerous expressions of interest for its Swiss division, told Reuters CEO Stéphane Richard, noting that financial market volatility would not affect projects sales of assets of the group electronic check payday advance.

Bouygues: -1.15% to 25.87 euros

The Standard & Poor's announced that it placed the long-term rating of A-group under review with negative implications following the announcement by him of a proposed acquisition of securities.

Total: -1.83% to 33.74 euros

The oil will extend all over France its network of service stations at low prices, after tests conducted last year in dozens of outlets, according to Les Echos.

Safran: -2.12% to 27.18 euros, Suez Environnement: -4.10% to 11.11 euros

Saffron is the best candidate for an entry in the CAC 40, while Suez Environnement, whose price has fallen heavily since the beginning of the summer, should come out, say professionals in the Paris Bourse.

NYSE Euronext: -1.72% to 18.60 euros

The London Stock Exchange has confirmed a press report that it is discussing a possible settlement with LCH.Clearnet.Discussions are at a preliminary stage and there is no guarantee that it would, he said.

Arcelor-Mittal: -3.84% to 14.51 euros

The group plans to resort to short in the fourth quarter at its plant in Florange (Moselle), and will ask 600 of the 3,000 employees of the plant to take RTT in September, officials said Thursday a union source

Sanofi: -2.28% to 50.25 euros

The group confirmed Thursday it has reached an agreement with Pfizer to produce in France generic versions of Lipitor, the cholesterol featuring the American group.

Neopost: + 8.80% to 55.49 euros

The group raised its forecast of annual sales for the second time, following an accelerated growth in the second quarter, thanks to the dynamics of North America.

As for recommendations:

EDF: -1.89% to 21.24 euros

Goldman Sachs has revised down its price target on the title, which goes from 49 to 31 euros, while remaining for purchase.

Carrefour: -3.60% to 17.52 euros

HSBC lowered its recommendation to "overweight" to "neutral" and target price of 30.50 to 20 euros.

Pernod Ricard: -1.03% to 61.28 euros

Bernstein lowered its price target from 76 to 67 euros.

Stallergenes: + 0.71% to 49.75 euros

The laboratory of immuno-allergic Thursday announced a net profit up 18% in the first half to 23.7 million euros, benefiting from the "business growth" and a "moderate increase spending research and development. " In the process, Oddo is to reduce its recommendation to neutral.

SNCF tariffs: "We want more transparency"

A new decree, issued July 31, should allow the station not to set an annual calendar of dates or normal movement of its trains. The National Federation of Transport Users (FNAUT) will be consulted as the set of consumer groups before the implementation of new measures. Its president, Jean Sivardière explains the consequences of their introduction.

Lefigaro.fr – The decree abolishing the concept of peak or normal was claimed by the SNCF. What benefit the operator does he draw?

Jean Sivardière – SNCF wants more freedom in setting its prices to meet more of its trains reservation is to say mainly the TGV, but also trains Lunéa (night train, Ed) and trains Téoz (Paris-Clermont-Ferrand, Paris-Toulouse and Bordeaux-Nice, Ed).The TER intercity, Coral, are not affected. The absence of a predetermined schedule as it is today will allow it to adjust its prices more freely according to demand and events. This is the generalization of "yield management" pricing based on supply and demand. The benefit for the station is to be better armed against competition from airplanes, cars and eventually other train operators who will come with the opening of the network under EU regulations.

The station will therefore be free to increase prices …

Yes, when demand will be strong. But it can also reduce some of the trains filled to attract travelers. We do not reject the principle of the decree. Unlike other associations, we try to assess the medium-term effects.Of course, they will be positive for the station, but we believe that if the station is in better financial health, the traveler found there too. If the operator performs better trains, the French users should benefit from a tariff acceptable. In Germany, where pricing rules are much more rigid, the prices are also higher.

Is there not a risk of soaring prices?

The decree provides that the station will make public the amount of the highest rates and that of the lowest rate charged instant payday loan lenders. But we also know that the operator is a state within a state and it is difficult to impose such measures. We have no evidence that the average tariff will not increase, but we nevertheless believe that a surge would mean a loss of customers, and would therefore be against-productive.What we regret is the new benchmark loss arising from the removal of the schedule of dates for users already lost to the variety of tariffs. When we are received by the Advisory Committee of the SNCF, for example, we will request the publication of the quota of seats at reduced rates. Currently, we are not aware of this number. We need more transparency so that travelers know what they pay for. For several years, we also ask for the maintenance of lines parallel to the TGV Corail. This would create a kind of low-cost rail. This line exists in the Rhone Valley. They work very well and does not infect clients of the TGV.

New User Reviews

A survey by the Consumers' Association CLCV last spring and published Monday in Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France testifies to the annoyance of SNCF customers. Chief among complaints: the pricing policy. Nearly 90% of 570 respondents believe that prices are expensive or too expensive. According to a study by Boston Consulting Group, the average price per mile has actually increased by 26.4% between 2002 and 2009, twice as much as inflation. Travelers also denounce the complexity of the fee schedule. Another study conducted by the association CLCV also noted between the discount cards, and offers Prem's and other iDTGV, it was possible to find twenty different prices for the same seat.Finally, the survey raises the issue of timeliness because nearly half of respondents say they regularly experience delays … and poorly compensated. 63.9% of passenger demand and to be systematically compensated for any delays exceeding 30 minutes.

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