Trains across France delayed and cancelled due to unexpected strike
Trains across France are severely disrupted on Friday after the network was hit by unexpected strike action.
The last-minute strike was announced on Thursday evening and is over safety concerns following an accident, say unions.
In Paris this is affecting the RER suburban trains, which are run by SNCF. These connect Paris to the suburbs and also the city's main airports to Gare du Nord.
"Following an unexpected industrial action, traffic is very disrupted throughout the line," explained SNCF.
? 6h06 #RERD
A la suite d'un mouvement social inopiné, le trafic est très fortement perturbé sur l'ensemble de la ligne.
— RER D SNCF (@RERD_SNCF) October 18, 2019
The Metro, which is run by RATP, is not affected.
In Lyon no trains are leaving from Perrache and there are limited services from Part-Dieu while regions across the country have seen delays and cancellations to the TER local services network.
Due to the last-minute nature of the strike, there will be changes throughout the day as SNCF struggle to provide a service - passengers are advised to either postpone their trip or check on the SNCF website for disruptions ahead of travel.
Although there have been several strikes recently over the ongoing issue of pension reform, this industrial action is not related to that, say unions.
The reason for the last-minute strike was given as safety concerns after an incident in Ardennes in eastern France.
A train carrying 70 passengers hit a lorry at a level crossing in Saint-Pierre-sur-Vence.
images impressionnantes de l’accident entre un TER et un convoi exceptionnel dans les #Ardennes ce mercredi @France3CA @Laurent_Vilain @aitrene @adumoul1 pic.twitter.com/vzfFiRBuqv
— Ali Benbournane (@alibenbournane) October 16, 2019
The CGT union said the incident could have had "dramatic consequences".
A union official told Le Parisien: "The driver was alone and isolated and had to handle a multitude of regulatory procedures and manage users, including several pregnant women, all in a state of shock."
Comments
See Also
The last-minute strike was announced on Thursday evening and is over safety concerns following an accident, say unions.
In Paris this is affecting the RER suburban trains, which are run by SNCF. These connect Paris to the suburbs and also the city's main airports to Gare du Nord.
"Following an unexpected industrial action, traffic is very disrupted throughout the line," explained SNCF.
? 6h06 #RERD
— RER D SNCF (@RERD_SNCF) October 18, 2019
A la suite d'un mouvement social inopiné, le trafic est très fortement perturbé sur l'ensemble de la ligne.
The Metro, which is run by RATP, is not affected.
In Lyon no trains are leaving from Perrache and there are limited services from Part-Dieu while regions across the country have seen delays and cancellations to the TER local services network.
Due to the last-minute nature of the strike, there will be changes throughout the day as SNCF struggle to provide a service - passengers are advised to either postpone their trip or check on the SNCF website for disruptions ahead of travel.
Although there have been several strikes recently over the ongoing issue of pension reform, this industrial action is not related to that, say unions.
The reason for the last-minute strike was given as safety concerns after an incident in Ardennes in eastern France.
A train carrying 70 passengers hit a lorry at a level crossing in Saint-Pierre-sur-Vence.
images impressionnantes de l’accident entre un TER et un convoi exceptionnel dans les #Ardennes ce mercredi @France3CA @Laurent_Vilain @aitrene @adumoul1 pic.twitter.com/vzfFiRBuqv
— Ali Benbournane (@alibenbournane) October 16, 2019
The CGT union said the incident could have had "dramatic consequences".
A union official told Le Parisien: "The driver was alone and isolated and had to handle a multitude of regulatory procedures and manage users, including several pregnant women, all in a state of shock."
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.