To put an end to its fragmented and complicated offer, the SNCF has just launched SNCF Connect, a platform supposed to bring together all its digital services. And the result is rather successful, even if everything is not yet perfect.
It’s never too late to do well. On Tuesday January 25, 2022, SNCF launched a new “all-in-one” platform called SNCF Connect, bringing together all of its digital passenger services. Objective: to simplify the lives of users – sorry, “customers” – with a one-stop shop instead of the many online applications and services offered until now. With the ambition to eventually become “the gateway to all forms of mobility”as Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, said on franceinfo.
It was high time! Because, in recent years, the operator had had the unfortunate idea of dispersing its services through different digital tools. It was thus necessary to juggle between several apps and sites such as OUI.sncf or L’Assistant SNCF to find information on trains or on traffic, or to find and buy tickets, not to mention the functions reserved for holders of reduction cards or beneficiaries of loyalty programs who had to manage certain advantages on special pages or dedicated tools such as My line C, intended specifically for users of RER line C in the Paris region. A real headache for the average user, whether occasional or regular traveler. And it is precisely to put an end to this gigantic shambles that was detrimental to the readability of the offer that the SNCF decided to simplify its digital services with SNCF Connect, supposed to group everything together in one place.
SNCF Connect: a website and a mobile application
In practice, this new platform comes in two forms: a SNCF Connect website, accessible with a simple web browser, which de facto replaces OUI.sncf, and an SNCF Connect: Trains &trajets mobile application available for Android and iOS which replaces OUI.sncf and L’Assistant SNCF – note that the OUI. sncf is automatically updated to SNCF Connect when it is already installed on a mobile, which is not the case for L’Assistant SNCF which curiously remains in place. Of course, with the transition taking place smoothly, transparently and without loss of data, all those who have created an OUI.sncf account and purchased tickets with the old services find them intact on SNCF Connect, without having to change their identifier.
As promised, SNCF Connect allows you to find out about train travel in France and Europe and to book tickets. But the new platform is not limited to just rail journeys. It takes into account all public transport and additional trips. Thus, it suffices to indicate precise places (addresses, for example) in the Departure and Arrival search fields to be offered complete itineraries, door to door, with all the necessary detailed journeys (on foot, by car, by coach, bus, metro, tram, etc., in addition to the appropriate trains and their timetables, like the IDF Mobilités application. This makes it possible to compare several solutions and, of course, to directly book the train tickets corresponding to the chosen journey. Convenient ! The mobile app even offers position tracking – either systematic or occasional – so as to provide location-specific information, including in real time. A good way to accompany travelers from start to finish in all their trips, big or small, as promised by the operator who intends to make SNCF Connect a daily mobility tool. In fact, SNCF Connect brings together a very complete range of functions: route search, reservation and purchase of train or coach tickets, car rental, reservation of taxis or carpooling trips, traveler information, but also, which is very valuable, the management of refunds, cancellations and complaints. It is even possible to buy TER and Transilien tickets all at once to facilitate connections during a trip. Well seen !
Download the SNCF Connect app for Android
Download the SNCF Connect app for iOS
SNCF Connect: simpler, more user-friendly, more efficient
It must also be acknowledged that the teams of developers at SNCF have made real progress in making this new platform simpler and more user-friendly than the previous ones. In addition to the dark mode, activated by default for better readability, navigation in the mobile app is much more intuitive, with well-identified sections (Travelling, Tickets, Offers, Account) and information presented clearly, whether user account settings (contact details, discount cards, loyalty program, bank card) or purchased tickets. Above all, searches are carried out in natural language in the main field, without having to scroll through menus and options. It is also possible to define and save favorite places and routes (home and work, for example), to facilitate future searches. And a virtual assistant is available anytime to start a conversation and ask for help.
If we must salute the very good effort of the SNCF to really simplify its services, it should be noted that everything is not yet perfect in SNCF Connect. Admittedly, the platform knows how to manage the purchase of tickets from the various entities of the rail group (TGV inOui, Ouigo, Intercités, TER, Thalys, Eurostar, TGV Lyria), in addition to Transiliens and coaches. But you still have to go through specialized services to exchange tickets Ouigo (the low-cost TGV) or manage formulas Max Active (annual packages intended for very regular travellers) for example. In addition, while rail is opening up to competition, it is not possible to take train tickets from alternative operators such as Trenitalia. Similarly, if it is well planned, the management of “soft mobility” as they are called in urban areas (mainly bicycles and scooters for hire) is not yet active. But let’s bet that it’s only a matter of time and that the SNCF will be able to learn from the lessons of the past to make SNCF Connect a truly complete platform for all forms of transport.