Separating fact from fiction
Because people take trains on a daily basis, SNCF is a hot topic of discussion in France. Between real-life experiences and preconceived notions, some clichés are spread about our Group, even though it has undergone profound change in recent years. Let's set the record straight.
Ecological awareness is growing and passenger transport is opening up to competition, putting rail increasingly centre stage in public debate. SNCF Group took its present form on 1 January 2020 following the French rail reform introduced in 2019, and is now both a state-owned enterprise and a global leader in mobility. In 2024, it generated €43,4 billion annual revenue. In this fast-moving context, it is more important than ever to provide the information needed to better comprehend how our company operates and better know the 290,000 employees who work in it.
What does it mean to be a railway worker in 2025?
There are several definitions of “railway worker”, depending on the context. We’ve clarified them for you here.
“SNCF is too heavily subsidized”
SNCF receives funding from public bodies for some types of transport, in exchange for delivering a public service.
“SNCF costs taxpayers too much”
Our activities support 250,000 indirect jobs in France, and in 2023 we paid €1.1bn in taxes.
“SNCF has too much debt”
We take a disciplined approach to paying down debt while continuing to invest in the French rail industry.
“Rail workers don’t work much and retire early“
SNCF employees work at least 35 hours each week and everyone hired since 2020 falls under France’s general pension system.
“SNCF is a monopoly“
European passenger rail markets are now open to competition, which means companies other than SNCF run trains on the French network.
“SNCF management lacks transparency“
Our Group is 100% owned by the French state through shares that cannot be sold or transferred, and regularly reports on its activities and results.
“Railway workers have it easy“
Some 91,000 rail workers have jobs classified as “arduous“—a full 60% of all employees working in rail businesses at SNCF.
“Anyone can work for SNCF“
There are over 150 distinct professions at SNCF, and all demand exceptional expertise.
Railway workers enjoy a privileged job status
Since roll-out of France’s railway pact in 2020, new staff have been hired under standard employment contracts similar to those used in the private sector.
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