A train controllers’ strike this weekend has left 150,000 travelers unable to depart for their vacations, according to Christophe Fanichet, the head of SNCF Voyageurs. He made the announcement on Friday, adding that the affected passengers have been fully reimbursed.
Despite this, Fanichet noted that 850,000 French citizens will still manage to embark on their vacations. The strike, which involves three out of four controllers demanding a salary increase, has led the SNCF to prioritize connections to the Alps. The first crossover weekend witnessed the initial returns from zone C, including Paris, Montpellier, and Toulouse, as well as departures from zone A, which includes Lyon, Bordeaux, Dijon, and others.
Affected customers notified by SMS
The strike, which started on Thursday at 8 p.m. and is expected to last until Monday 8 a.m., has severely disrupted train traffic. However, Fanichet assured that normal service will resume from Monday, with almost all TGVs running and 100% of the transport plan being executed. Over the weekend, service on the TGV Inoui and Ouigo lines, as well as the Intercités, has been reduced by half. Normal traffic is maintained for classic Ouigo trains, while European connections like Eurostar are disrupted. Local lines are faring better, with an average of 8 out of 10 TER trains in operation.
All affected customers have been notified via email or SMS, according to SNCF. Séverine Long, director of the Montparnasse station, assures that all travelers who arrived at the station had a ticket. Around fifty “red vests” were tasked with informing customers. The new Minister of Transport, Patrice Vergriete, commended the preparatory work done to alert the public about the disruptions.
Priority to the Alps
Fanichet acknowledged on Thursday that priority was given to full trains, particularly those departing for the Alps in February. However, some lines, like Paris-Bordeaux, were more affected, with two-thirds of trains being canceled. TGV Atlantique boss Franck Dubourdieu revealed that there should be more trains on the Atlantic axis from Sunday. He reassured that if some customers rescheduled their tickets to travel on Monday, the company would manage to transport everyone. Travelers whose train is canceled have the option to exchange their ticket free of charge or get a refund. The carrier is also offering a 50% discount on their next trip to affected customers.
