Overcrowded
MP David Wagner questioned the relevance of maintaining a two-class system when public transport has been free since 2020 and second class carriages are regularly overcrowded during peak hours.
In response, Transport Minister Yuriko Backes pointed out that first class currently represents approximately 13% of the seats across the entire CFL fleet, or 4,105 seats out of a total of 31,507. She emphasised that demand is indeed present: more than 21,000 single tickets have been sold since January 2026, compared to just over 38,000 for the whole of 2025. Since the introduction of free travel, sales of first-class tickets have even increased by nearly 50%.
For Backes, eliminating first class would not bring the expected benefits. From a technical standpoint, it would not result in significant savings: sales channels must be maintained for cross-border journeys, which are not free, and the CFL GO app remains essential for passenger information. Ticket checks also do not generate specific costs, as CFL staff are present on board for multiple purposes.
The minister highlighted a frequently overlooked point: when second class is overcrowded, passengers may be allowed to move to first class at no extra cost. This measure, decided by the train conductor, helps to manage passenger numbers at peak times. First-class ticket holders can then request a refund.
Data shows that the pressure is concentrated on second class. On the Luxembourg, Thionville, Metz line, the occupancy rate reaches 96% during peak hours, while first class fluctuates between 10 and 16% depending on the section. Rather than eliminating first class, Backes argued in favour of increasing the overall capacity of the network. CFL has placed an order for multiple units, which should allow for an 18.5% increase in seating capacity in the coming years.
96% in second class. 10% in first. The trains are free, but the seats are not equal. The minister says conductors can let people upgrade when it is crowded, which is a nice idea in theory. In practice, the 96% are standing in the aisle while 4,105 first-class seats sit mostly empty. The solution, says the minister, is more trains. In the coming years. Eventually.