“You are looking for the slightest thing to make people pay!”. Matteo fulminates. He has just received a fine of 110 euros “For having crossed the legs, the point of (his) foot having hit the seat opposite”, Does he plague filming discreetly Her exchange with the controller, broadcast on Tiktok. An unexpected expenditure which does not really help this young job seeker who, fills with irony, went precisely to France work. Julien, too, has “Never experienced such abuse of power”. Last month, this holder of the coveted “Grand Voyageur le Club” – who rewards loyal customers – tells the Parisian His railway misadventure: a fine of 100 euros for having paid your TER ticket … 10 less cents. And then there is Ludivine. Photographer at Compiègne then en route for her chemo in Paris, she takes her ticket once installed. “It’s prohibited”asserts the chief of board, while Verbalizing 50 euros. “I met the cruelty (…) of an SNCF controller”she wrote on June 20 in a Facebook post widely relayed since.
Some elected officials were needed to Catch the controversy train. On July 1, MP RN Caroline Colombier challenged the government in the National Assembly on “Disturbing abuse” of some SNCF and RATP controllers, their “Rigid attitude” and a “Policy of zero tolerance (…) nourishing a feeling of social injustice”.
Motus and rails sewn
“Exhausted and sad” to have “Stupidity and honesty to pay”Ludivine, the photographer, suspect “The bad guyhaving won 10 % of the fine»». When questioned, the management of the SNCF does not hide it: the fight against fraud being a priority, the operator assumes “reward” his agents to the commission. “It is natural that there are financial incentives For employees “says Gubina Nsilou, head of SNCF travelers media relations.
Do these incentives really reach 10 %, as Ludivine suggests? This time, the railway company remains silent. To get an answer, you have to run the ear to the first concerned: the controllers. Not easy. The fault at right of reserve Registered in the contracts of the agents, which invites them not to speak to the press. At Sud-Rail, we are politely hanging up on the nose, the fearing union direction “To feed a new episode of SNCF Bashing»». The CFDT, on the other hand, has never followed up on our requests.
Higher commissions for fines paid immediately
It is ultimately thanks to the CGT that we will learn a little more. Thomas*, former union representative, reveals the secret so well kept of the scale of “Financial incentives”. The commission fee is 4% For the controller if the fine is set after the journey by minutes (PV). She climbs to 10% When paid on site. Either “A few tens of euros per month (additional, editor’s note) For a TGV or TER edge chief ”figure the press manager of SNCF travelers, questioned about the issue. The ex-delegate speaks rather of an additional salary of “”200 euros on averagebefore deduction of social and employers’ contributions ”.
For some, it is Two to three times more. Max*, a young Lyonnais chief in his thirties, still can’t believe it: one of his colleagues cashes “Between 500 and 800 euros in bonuses per month” On his only verbalizations. The most zealous do downright Plant the payroll software.
The accounting line stops at 999.99 euros. So they sometimes meet with two bonus lines!
Agents are encouraged to make daily “operated”
For an ex-RH of the group, “It is completely normal for the agents to be rewarded, for a sometimes difficult work. They only apply the rules»». Faced with massive fraud (see box), SNCF logically asks its agents – in addition to their three other security missions, security and service – to be rigorous for “Save recipes”. Fines, PV, or ticket sales: SNCF sets objectives that controllers have an interest in monitoring, even if they are not Stricto sensu compulsory. For example, Max, the Lyonnais edge chief, is encouraged to “Close five to six” operated “per day”.
SNCF fraud
Despite our multiple reminders, the SNCF did not respond to our requests concerning the overall amount of fraud. The company only indicates “Financial loss after fines”estimated at “200 million euros per year”. Same opacity concerning the number of reports (PV) drawn up. Last year, however, the group had finally confirmed to our colleagues at 20 minutes that in 2024, 2.5 million PV had been erected. A 2014 figure that the SNCF admitted to be still relevant.
However, all these PVs do not finish in the boxes of the tricolor rail. Far from it. “5 or 6 years ago, we were still far below the 50% recovered PVsays the former CGISTIS. Little luck it has changed since then. ”
With changing regulations “One or twice a year”according to Thomas, the slightest forgetfulness (whether it is voluntary or not), can quickly tip you over to the side of fraudsters. “Each additional sanction is added to the imbroglio of controls that we must already carry out”he exasperates. Result, the fines are inevitable: “As soon as there is very precise regulation, verbalization becomes logically easier”says François Delétraz, the representative of public transport users. This stack of rules will go too far. ” And if the fines of Julien or Ludivine seem morally questionable, the SNCF agents contacted assure us:
The majority of fines deemed abusive by users are, on paper, indeed justified.
Are they more numerous to be zealous? Impossible to check. “They may be the social networks Who put forward situations that we did not speak before? ”wonders François Delétraz, president of the voice of users (National Federation of Transport User Associations – FNAUT). It is also good to remember that The number of travelers on rails (TGV + intercités + ter) literally exploded: +26% compared to 2019, according to the figures transmitted by the SNCF to Capital. And mechanically, more passengers, they are also more fines.
Uncomfortable unions with commissions
Should we however “”Review the fines regime in public transport “as the RN deputy suggests? For the ex-syndicalist rail, the dilemma is cruel. Yes, the famous “carrot” pushes certain agents to show the muscles. But difficult to remove this precious boost which can sometimes compensate for low wages. After ten years of seniorityThomas Touche 1,800 euros gross per month,, “Like many of his colleagues”. Remuneration “modest” According to him, but which can climb up to 2,700 euros net, all bonuses combined. So for unions, the subject is necessarily delicate.
*The first names have been modified to protect anonymity
