SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou said, during an exchange with readers from Journal Le Parisien – Today in France, that the introduction of the health pass did not particularly reduce traffic this summer and was confident about the vaccination of agents. “We had a great summer with nearly 22 million people transported. We are almost at the level of 2019 ”, detailed Jean-Pierre Farandou, whose report of the exchanges with the readers of the newspaper was posted online.
The obligation to present a health pass to take a TGV (Inoui and Ouigo), an Intercités or an international long-distance train departing from France since August 9 does not seem to have disrupted traffic excessively since “more than 97% of travelers have a valid health pass ”, according to the head of the SNCF. And in the absence of a valid health pass, the SNCF has forged “partnerships with pharmacies around the stations” to do a test quickly, explained Jean-Pierre Farandou. And “if the train has left, we try to put the customer back on the next one, if not, he is reimbursed at 100%”, he added.
“70% of agents” vaccinated
Regarding the progress of the vaccination of SNCF agents, their boss recalled that they “have the obligation to declare themselves by August 30”. According to SNCF estimates, “70% of agents” would be vaccinated and Jean-Pierre Farandou was confident given the arrangements that have been put in place to help employees get vaccinated.
From Monday, the health pass becomes mandatory for employees of places where the public should already present this sesame, such as restaurants, cafes, museums, cinemas or large shopping centers. If the offending employees do not risk dismissal, they may be suspended without pay.