A recent study released by the national federation of transport users (FNAUT) suggests that the average price of Ouigo tickets—SNCF's low-cost high-speed train service—has increased by an alarming 75% between 2017 and 2024. This significant rise in ticket prices has raised concerns among users about the affordability of this supposed budget travel option. The study's findings echo previous reports by FNAUT and are based on data sourced from the open data portal of the Transport Regulatory Authority (ART), which strengthens their claims regarding the escalating costs of Ouigo tickets.

The SNCF, responding to these allegations, justifies the price increments by highlighting the evolution of service offerings associated with the Ouigo brand. According to the company's perspective, improvements and expansions in their services warrant the increased fares as they adapt to market demands and strive to enhance customer experience. However, concerned users question whether the enhancements substantively justify the steep hikes in ticket prices, suggesting that the low-cost travel promise is increasingly being undermined by these financial barriers.

This situation poses significant implications for the future of budget travel in France, as it calls into question the accessibility of high-speed train travel for the average consumer. If ticket prices continue to rise at this rate, many potential users might be dissuaded from utilizing Ouigo services, leading to broader consequences for rail travel in France. This scenario invites further scrutiny into how low-cost models operate in competitive markets, particularly under regulatory oversight, emphasizing the need for balanced pricing strategies that consider consumer welfare alongside company profitability.