There are, finally, a few more lines than expected. While traffic on metros 10 and 11 was to be completely interrupted on this day of mobilization against the pension reform, a few trains finally ran at rush hour this morning (between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.).
One in five metros ran between Belleville and Mairie de Lilas on line 11, which was partially open. While on the 10, open from end to end, one out of two trains was circulating. Only the 8 remains completely closed this Thursday. A change due to “possible adjustments this morning, depending on availability”, explains the RATP.
“We make forecasts (of traffic) on the prior declarations of agents”, who, in accordance with a 2007 law on the minimum service of public sector companies, must notify their intention to participate in the strike 48 hours in advance . “There, we finally had the necessary staff to be able to operate these two lines this morning”, specifies the RATP. Clearly, some employees who had announced their intention to strike have finally changed their minds.
Still to be confirmed for the afternoon
For the time being, the transport authority is not yet able to confirm to Le Parisien whether lines 10 and 11 will also be able to run at rush hour this afternoon (between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.).
In addition, another slight improvement compared to the initial forecasts: line 3 runs during peak hours between Pont de Levallois and Havre-Caumartin (instead of Pereire, as was initially planned).
Government and unions had been preparing the French for the idea of a “Black Thursday” for several days. The RATP had made public these final forecasts this Wednesday morning, on the eve of the day of mobilization.