To improve access to the train, particularly in small stations where ticket offices sometimes tend to disappear, the SNCF has been deploying a local offer for several years.The idea is, for example, to rely on tobacconists, everyday shops still present in most areas and which offer wide opening hours.40% of tobacconists are located in municipalities with less than 3,500 inhabitants.In July 2019, SNCF and the Confederation of Tobacconists signed a three-year partnership protocol.It provided for the development of new points of sale in the territories and the provision of a new sales tool for tobacconists, consisting of an application on smartphone or tablet and a printer."Tobacconists embody local commerce, often with very long hours and with a very strong territorial network. They are therefore privileged partners for TER in its strategy of conquest" underlines the SNCF.Indeed, 90% of tickets sold by tobacconists are for TER journeys."We are aiming for one-off trips, it really allows people who did not intend to take the train to do so", adds Jean-Aimé Mougenot, Director SNCF Voyageurs TER.For tobacconists, it is obviously a source of additional diversification with the press, the payment of taxes, bank accounts... They benefit from SNCF training and the necessary equipment (a tablet and a printer).The Confederation first insists on the "useful" side of this offer even if there is a financial dimension which consists of a monthly flat rate and a commission on sales which is not communicated.However, ticket sales by tobacconists are still very marginal.Only 50 tobacconists are equipped today and make "a few sales a day".The Pays de la Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand-Est regions are the most active in the development dynamic. The initial objective was to have 200 points of sale, but the health context has slowed down these ambitions."100 points of sale are now eligible and therefore we are going to exceed the objectives. We are cautious", explains Philippe Coy.It is obviously not a question of allowing all these merchants to sell train tickets.This need is expressed in many areas where stations are closing and ticket offices are disappearing.The SNCF denies closing counters but explains that it must redeploy its staff."In some small stations, our agents sell as many tickets as the tobacconists so we try to give them other missions. We have a different presence in the station with different adaptations and time slots", explains Jean-Aimé Mougenot.Translation, the counters are often closed, hence the desire to promote access to the train by other means.Remember that the SNCF intends to double the number of its passengers within 10 years so that the train provides 20% of travel in France.Elon Musk announces he is giving up buying Twitter© Copyright 2006-2021 BFMTV.com.All rights reserved.Website edited by NextInteractive