Making rail travel easier for people with autism
On 2 April 2025—World Autism Awareness Day—key players in the rail industry joined forces to sign a major new charter with autism advocacy organizations, the Ministerial Delegate for Accessibility, and the interministerial Delegate for France’s national neurodevelopmental strategy.
A charter uniting key stakeholders
On World Autism Awareness Day—2 April 2025—we took a significant step forward for inclusive travel. SNCF Réseau, SNCF Gares & Connexions, SNCF Voyageurs, and all the railway companies operating on the French network teamed up with autism advocacy groups, national inclusion programmes, and government representatives to sign the Autism and Rail Mobility Charter, developed under the patronage of France’s Minister for Transport and Minister for Autonomy and Disability.
Signing took place at the Maison de l’Autisme in Aubervilliers, north of Paris, with attendees including:
- Etienne Pot, Interministerial Delegate for the National Strategy for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Matthieu Chabanel, Chairman and CEO, SNCF Réseau
- Morgane Castanier, Customer Service and Digital Director, SNCF Gares & Connexions
Travelling with autism
Autism spectrum disorders affect nearly 700,0001 people in France. Yet travelling—especially by rail—can present unique challenges for autistic individuals. These range from time and schedule management to sensory overload, difficulty navigating unfamiliar environments, and heightened anxiety.
In response to more inclusive European rail transport regulations introduced in 2021—and France’s 2023-2027 national strategy for neurodevelopmental disorders—SNCF Réseau took action. Through its accessibility department, it launched a nationwide Autism Plan to make the rail system more inclusive for autistic travellers.
7 key areas
The Autism and Rail Mobility Charter addresses 7 strategic areas:
- Digital accessibility of websites and ticketing platforms, including those of partner services.
- Clear, simple travel information across all communication channels (websites, brochures, etc.) to help prepare journeys.
- Station assistance services, clearly explained and promoted.
- Staff training to better understand and respond to the needs of autistic passengers.
- Customer journey testing led by autistic individuals to identify improvements.
- Rail safety awareness, including improved signage and prevention materials, especially around pedestrian crossings.
- Calm zones and sensory-friendly spaces, both in stations and on trains, to offer relief from overstimulation.
Our ongoing commitment to accessibility
For nearly 20 years, SNCF Group has been making rail travel more accessible to all, through:
- Active participation in Accessibility Master Plans, including station renovations, new accessible rolling stock, staff training, and service design
- Regular collaboration with advocacy groups representing all forms of disability.
Since 2020, SNCF Réseau has overseen the coordination of accessibility efforts across the entire French rail network.
Public figure and autism advocate Paul El Kharrat was an official witness at the launch of SNCF Réseau’s autism plan