Under Jean Bergougnoux’s leadership from 1994 to 1995, SNCF launched Eurostar service—linking Paris to London in just three hours—and strengthened its ties with RATP, the Paris region’s regional transport authority, by introducing joint tickets.

After a wave of strikes against retirement reform, SNCF created its “red vest” passenger information service, now known as SNCF Assistance: on peak travel days, volunteers in red turn out to support, inform and guide travellers in French railway stations. Mr Bergougnoux resigned after a series of strikes in the winter of 1995.