Afra, an organization in France that represents alternative railway operators, is once again pushing for changes to high railway tolls and access to a digital platform called SNCF Connect. The group is focused on promoting more competition in France’s railway transport system. On September 15, Afra released a report that outlines the advantages of increasing competition in the sector. The study, carried out by the economic consultancy Frontier Economics, suggests that 25 million people in France currently cannot use the train for their travel needs because of a lack of seating. The report also predicts that this number could more than double by 2030. Afra believes that new railway operators could help meet this growing demand and is urging for the removal of obstacles that prevent them from entering the market. For new operators to establish themselves, they must make considerable investments, Afra points out. They are required to spend nearly one billion euros on infrastructure and rolling stock, which includes trains and tracks. In addition, they must deal with complex regulatory and administrative procedures. Perhaps most importantly, they must pay high tolls to the SNCF, which is the main French railway company. Afra argues that these tolls are a major obstacle for new entrants. The association explains that the tolls are set by the SNCF itself and are not clearly defined, making it hard for new operators to predict their costs and effectively compete in the market. Afra is advocating for a more transparent and competitive pricing system for railway tolls. They also want the SNCF Connect platform, which allows operators to book services on the SNCF network, to be opened up to more companies. The association claims that the current setup gives an unfair advantage to the SNCF and limits the ability of new operators to provide alternative services to the public. By promoting greater transparency and access, Afra hopes to encourage more competition in the French railway sector, which could lead to better services and more options for travelers.