Let the Train Take the Strain?

In 2021, to a great fanfare, France banned domestic flights, where a journey could be done by train in less than 150 minutes. Joe Zadeh has subsequently assessed France's rail system, by making a trip around that country of circa 2750 km (https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/sep/04/with-domestic-flights-banned-in-france-we-test-its-rail-network). What's very obvious, is that not all trains are TGVs. They vary in comfort, ease of use, price and reliability. Zadeh's journey, on 10 trains for a total of almost 27 hours, did, however, generate 90% fewer carbon dioxide emissions, than if he had flown. Only 5000 of France's annual 200,000 domestic flights are actually banned by the 2021 law. This restriction annually saves about 55,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. That's only 0.23% of France's total aviation emissions. The ban consequently appears to be more of a symbolic gesture, assessing public opinion, rather than signalling a substantial travel change. To really cut down carbon dioxide emissions, the ban would have to apply to much longer flights. Getting folk to make the switch from plane to train, would also be helped by improving the rail networks. Making the cost of travel by train, competitive, could also improve things.