Page 436 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

Dressen, Marnix

IZY

Launched Displayed objective
Competing against main brand Thalys, created 20
2016
years ago, buses and car-sharing.

Commercial modalities

Compared to Thalys (launched 20 years ago), prices can be very low (for example 10e if traveling standing).
The sale is reserved for French and Belgian historical operators. Loyalty programs (even Thalyscard) are not
valid. Loss in case of cancellation. Only works off-peak (after 9am and after 8pm), two daily lines (three on
Sundays). Significant elongation of travel times (Paris Bruxelles in 2 hours and 8 to 26 minutes, meaning 46
to 64 minutes more than in Thalys, which takes 1 hour 24 for Paris-Bruxelles). Transformation in a relative
low standard travel.
Auto-competing against Thalys, Izy showcases the beginning of International Railway low cost by implemen-
ting low cost in Belgium.
Amongst reasons for which SNCF (which owns 60% of Thalys) and its Belgian homologue SNCB (which owns
40%) have chosen the low cost option over reducing prices would be marketing strategy. Thalys would not
like to see its prestigious in business circles brand depreciated. Thalys sometimes are half empty, but ad-
ministrators not really caring about environmental issues deem beneficial to make “less branded” trains
function more.

Technical modalities

« Slow speed » by using on the French side of the trip ordinary rails in order to reduce
tolls.
Over densification of occupancy on certain trains (bar disappears). No Wifi (contrary to
what exists on Thalys).
« SNCF-mobilité », the main shareholder, would like to optimize the utilization of its
TGVs (by renting two trains to Thalys, which are in fact destined to Izy).

TGV POP

Launched Displayed objective

2016 Optimizing TGV occupancy

Commercial modalities

Only using the train if the number of passengers registered (15 to 4 days before depar-
ture) is enough (from 25 to 50 depending on destinations) . Maximal flexibility (incerti-
tude for clients until three days before departure).

434 360.revista de alta velocidad