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Old September 25th, 2007, 10:56 PM posted to misc.transport.rail.europe,rec.travel.europe
M.G.Schram
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Posts: 1
Default Tickets to San Sebastian via Hendaye and Irun

Anyone any ideas why this ridiculous state of affairs exists ? It's
already daft that Renfe can operate from Spain to Hendaye (but not
FROM Hendaye to Spain), and SNCF can operate to Irun but not FROM Irun
to France.

It is an international agreement from an ancient age for every
Spanisch/French border, that each national railway can run its trains to the
other side with passengers, but have to return empty. The return journey
has to be made with the other railway. This way each railway has only to
issue "national" tickets for local travel. And are completely independ for
timetabling. It also simplifies the customs checking. And the train
employees could rest in there own nation. At the time these where very
important issues and the border crossing was a serious matter with little
trafic.

Now it is a very stupid way to run things, certainly when the trains are not
frequent.

Greetings,

MARC