Animals on French trains

[whole diary]

[stuving]

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) have announced a new fare régime for animals, widely reported as allowing any animal of any size to travel for €7 (if accompanied, of course). In fact it's not such a big change as that.

There were, and still are, two categories: little ones (6 kg max) in cages, and dogs on leads and muzzled who must sit tidily at the paying passenger's feet. The first used to cost €7, and still do. The change applies to dogs (any size, not in cages), which are now also €7 flat fare. The fare used to be half the standard "kilométrique" rate, and that could be a lot more than the discounted fare for the accompanying human.

This applies to all SNCF's own services, and those TERs where they set fares, but not Normandy, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire and Sud (they may be more or less generous). Obviously any dogs from the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) will need extra paperwork even to be in France in the first place.

[stuving]

And for some people, their best friend is not a dog but a surf board ... or a double bass? From The Strad:

Fury as double bassists barred from French trains

Size restrictions on SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) trains exclude double bassists from travelling with their instruments, as musicians share their stories of discrimination and being ‘treated like thugs’

The French national train service SNCF continues to restrict musicians travelling with large instruments, including double basses, causing large public outcry within the musician community.

SNCF currently states the maximum size for an item of luggage is 130cm x 90cm (approximately 4ft 2in x 3ft), while a double bass typically stands at around 190cm in its case. In 2021, an open letter published in Le Monde was signed by 45,000 people, illustrating the struggles faced by those denied access on board trains with large instruments.

Since then, the size restrictions have remained in place for musical instruments, much to the concern of double bassist Sébastien Boisseau, who illustrates that the restrictions have had heavy repercussions on travelling double bassists. ’We are shocked to be treated like thugs and offenders, while traveling with a valid ticket,’ said Boisseau in a statement published by Radio France.

’We are afraid of not being able to arrive at the place of the concert, of losing our commitments. Traveling with these old, fragile, expensive instruments is already stressful, but at the moment, anxiety dominates when buying an SNCF ticket.’

Boisseau highlighted many instances where double bassists were fined for attempting to travel with their instruments. He describes the case of Sarah Murcia, who was fined €50 on the Paris-Bordeaux line in October 2021. ’One of the controllers advised me to change jobs!’ she cried.

Another bassist Stephen Harrison was forced to disembark a train in June 2022 when officers took issue with Harrison’s bass in the train vestibule. Most recently in September 2022, bassist Leïla Soldevila was fined €150, as it was claimed her double bass posed a threat to customer safety on board.

Boisseau states that such measures, as well as preventing travel with full mobility, deprive the musicians the opportunity to participate in the collective effort to fight climate change, as many have no choice but to drive. ’The instrumentalists assume this choice of rail transport [is] the most respectful for the environment… they need the SNCF at their side and not against them!’

SNCF states on its website that there are no size restrictions for suitcases, travel bags and backpacks, strollers, bicycles and skis. SNCF has recently lowered its pricing to allow passengers to bring pets on board for €7, regardless of the animal’s size or the length of journey.

’The SNCF adopts a discriminatory attitude and refuses to a minority of musicians the service which it offers to all the population,’ said Boisseau.

[grahame]

Noting that folding bicycles are allowed where rigid ones are not, could the double bassists not use instruments with folding necks when they are away from home?

[JayMac]

Also noting that there are no restrictions on suitcase and backpack sizes. Perhaps there's scope there to design a squared off suitcase that can hold a double bass. There are also soft cases available for double bass with straps and shoulder harnesses. I suggest the musicians argue these are oddly shaped backpacks.

[Bmblbzzz]

The quoted article suggests the 130 x 90cm limit applies to any item of luggage. In the context of this thread, I wonder if it also applies to accompanying animals? If not, maybe a horse could be taken on board – with or without folding neck? !!!

[stuving]

The quoted article suggests the 130 x 90cm limit applies to any item of luggage. In the context of this thread, I wonder if it also applies to accompanying animals? If not, maybe a horse could be taken on board – with or without folding neck? !!!

But later on it says no limits for suitcases and other bags - which sounds very odd.

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways)'s own version on line (dated yesterday!) shows there are two clesses of thing involved. Some have to fit in the limit of 130x90 cm, and covers musical instruments, disassembled bikes, and surfboards or snowboards (all must be in a bag or case), plus scooters and folding bikes (must be folded). There is no size limit for cases, bags, backpacks, rigid bikes, skis, and pushchairs (must be folded).