Castex reorganises SNCF Voyageurs’ management following the departure of Christophe Fanichet

Paris – July 21, 2026: Jean Castex, chief executive officer of the SNCF Group, announced a restructuring of SNCF Voyageurs. Christophe Fanichet, who heads the group’s subsidiary responsible for passenger transport, will step down from his position. According to Franceinfo, two new people are expected to be appointed to give the company a new strategic and operational direction. The timing of the change and the names of the future managers were initially not disclosed.

Fanichet has led SNCF Voyageurs since 2019. The company operates the main part of the state-owned group’s passenger transport business, including high-speed trains, Intercités routes, regional transport services commissioned by regions, and parts of suburban transport. According to the company, his term was only extended by another four years in May 2024. The announced change will therefore take place during his term of office.

The planned two-person leadership structure indicates a clearer division of responsibilities within the subsidiary. According to Franceinfo, Castex explained that the measure was intended to create new momentum. Details concerning areas of responsibility, reporting lines, and the start date of the new organizational structure had not been disclosed as of Tuesday. There was also initially no further official explanation of the specific reasons for Fanichet’s departure.

SNCF Voyageurs operates in an environment characterized by increasing competition and high passenger expectations. Particularly in long-distance transport, the company must simultaneously ensure service provision, punctuality, fares, and customer information. In addition, tenders in regional transport are changing traditional structures. Several regions are gradually moving transport services to competitive tendering, increasing the importance for SNCF of new subsidiaries and adapted operating models.

The personnel decision is also economically important for the group. Revenue from passenger transport contributes, together with other business divisions, to the financing and stability of the SNCF Group. At the same time, expanding services requires investment in rolling stock, digitalization, and station services. The new management of SNCF Voyageurs must therefore shape not only day-to-day rail operations, but also the company’s long-term positioning against private and state-owned competitors.

Jean Castex took over as head of the SNCF Group in autumn 2025. With the announced restructuring, he has set an important personnel direction in a core subsidiary. Until further decisions are announced, it remains unclear how responsibilities will be divided between the two new executives and when Christophe Fanichet will actually leave the company. SNCF has not yet updated its official page on the management of SNCF Voyageurs accordingly.