FEVE (which is no longer a separate entity but is now part of Renfe), runs the longer distance services west from Bilbao. East of Bilbao is all EuskotrenIs the FEVE any good for this enquiry?
I have just (a couple of weeks ago) taken the Euskotren from Hendaye to Bilbao, changing at Amara Donostia-San Sebastian (as part of a larger journey from Amsterdam to Bilbao). There are some wonderful views, glimpses of the sea and coastal valleys, but it took a very long time and the Euskotren seats are not the most comfortable for a long journey. I probably should have taken the bus as many people advised me, but I liked the idea of trains for the entire journey.
Oh Ok, thanks for this. That is a very scenic part of the Country. Certainly worth doing.FEVE (which is no longer a separate entity but is now part of Renfe), runs the longer distance services west from Bilbao. East of Bilbao is all Euskotren
Yes it is. I have only done Santander-Bilbao, I would like to do the rest all the way to Ferrol one day, before they close it downOh Ok, thanks for this. That is a very scenic part of the Country. Certainly worth doing.
Is that likely to happen.? Shame if it is. I have done bits of it from Santander westwards, about 19 years ago.Yes it is. I have only done Santander-Bilbao, I would like to do the rest all the way to Ferrol one day, before they close it down
It has been threatened. I think the line to Leon is in serious dangerIs that likely to happen.? Shame if it is. I have done bits of it from Santander westwards, about 19 years ago.
Pity.It has been threatened. I think the line to Leon is in serious danger
I don't know what you are complaining about riceuten, many tourists go to Paris and have to pay good money to experience this authentic French customer service experience, you got treated to a masterclass from SNCF.
Happily it appears the blue shack in the Hendaye carpark has been upgraded
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I've never in all my adult years had any issues with French people, Paris or elsewhere, and have found them friendly and approachable - even SNCF staff. The difference is that I speak passable French, and never, ever assume French people speak English, and would certainly never start a conversation with them in English. And I never assume people "speak English but don't want to", which seems to be a particular invention of the British. Actually, the woman at Biarritz Gare SNCF was quite sheepish when I pointed out the train and apologetic. I visited Bayonne Station a couple of years later in the middle of a strike, and the stationmaster was very friendly and told me to take the city bus, "as it's cheaper than the train replacement bus, and will probably get you there quicker," then giving me a timetable for said bus!
Yes, I noticed when I was looking for a picture of said shack that it had been upgraded somewhat ! I do remember an intense debate there when I was visiting about whether or not the train line (and shack) were French or Spanish territory - there was a school of thought that thought the latter and I do remember someone being stopped by the border guards stepping off the train, before he left the station.
Having just spent two weeks in France, I agree. I do speak French though, but have always had the best experiences. I do have an issue with SNCF and cannot understand how the French put up with it, but I really very much like the country and its people.
I have found SNCF staff no worse than UK and certainly not DB staff, the latter who seem to go out of their way to be obtuse and difficult. I say this as the partner of a German and being half-German myself. SNCF staff seem to depend on how they are approached (notwithstanding our previous dialogue about being approached in English...).
This has happened more than once, but I have travelled on a ticket receipt when I lost my ticket (the conductor somehow managed to find it in his system). When I have composted the wrong bit of the ticket. And memorably, when I bought a ticket that I was supposed to print out, but couldn't. The SNCF staff at Nantes Station printed out the bits of it they had access to, and called ahead to the terminal station (Angers - it was a return ticket) who informed the conductor of the train that we had purchased (but not printed) the correct ticket. She said "I can see you bought the right ticket, so there's no worries".
If that had been a DB train, I would have had to purchase a brand new ticket and probably a supplement on top of it for doing so on the train.
My criticism doesn’t go against SNCF employees. It aims at the company itself, which is basically unable to run a decent timetable. What they offer would be laughed away in the UK, Germany or most of the rest of Europe.
Just one example : SNCF is about to re-open the south part of the line on the right bank of river Rhone, between Nimes and Pont St Esprit. The schedule offered will be a meager 5 trains per day per direction. It is sure going to attract a lot of new customers...I do question the wisdom of SNCF transport planners and the huge gaps in the timetable for non-existent maintenance work (often meaning there will be 2 trains within 30 minutes and then nothing for 3 hours). Some TER subsidiaries (like Alsace and Lorraine before they were hoovered up into Grand Est) did make an effort to have clock face timetables and offered some attractive ticket deals, but these seemed like local initiatives rather than anything planned.
Some TER subsidiaries (like Alsace and Lorraine before they were hoovered up into Grand Est) did make an effort to have clock face timetables and offered some attractive ticket deals, but these seemed like local initiatives rather than anything planned.
TER services are commissioned by regional councils, so you get what the region wants and is willing or able to pay for.
They are indeed, and the regions made a commitment (or not) to provide better transport and initiatives like TER200, "Metrolor" and the various tickets you can get in different regions.TER services are commissioned by regional councils, so you get what the region wants and is willing or able to pay for.
And UK prices are cheap? France is no worse or no better than most of the neighbouring countries.Able to pay at SNCF prices, which are notoriously inflated. There is a reason why many regions are desperate for competition.
In any case, the timetable is no better on long-distance traffic. The issue is really SNCF, not the regions. They just really don’t want to run trains and only do because they have too - at least it seems so.
And UK prices are cheap? France is no worse or no better than most of the neighbouring countries.
Another cheap anti-French shot that really doesn't contribute to the debate.
Which is presumably why you brought it up...But it’s OT anyway.