High-speed rail operator Thalys has recorded a 3.4 per cent rise in passenger numbers in the first half of 2014.
Despite a decline in ridership between Paris and Brussels, Thalys has transported 3.4 million passengers in 2014 so far and seen turnover increase by 2.1 per cent.
Services out of Paris to the Netherlands and to Germany both experienced a higher take-up year on year. In particular, services between Amsterdam and Brussels continue to benefit from the cancellation of Fyra services.
The popularity of both Thalys’ Comfort 1 (First Class) and Comfort 2 (Standard) classes rose in 2014 by 1.5 and 4.1 per cent respectively.
Customer satisfaction increased marginally by 0.3 per cent to 88 per cent and punctuality improved by 3 per cent to 93 per cent.
The cross-border service was inaugurated in 1995, providing regular high-speed trains between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne. In April, Thalys launched a new twice-daily services from Lille to Amsterdam.
In 2015, Thalys, which is jointly operated by SNCF and SNCB, will become a stand-alone company.
