2023-12-15 19:04:30
Already idle, the Intercity lines are not spared from hazards. For several weeks, cancellations have been raining down on various routes. They add to the regular or even daily delays given the degraded state of the network.
“The situation is becoming frankly critical. We sometimes have five trains canceled during the day! Already in normal times, we do not travel in good conditions, this is hellish…” breathes Stéphanie Picard, spokesperson for the collective Users of the Clermont-Paris train.
“The number of shocks has been increasing in recent months”
The situation is similar for users of the Paris – Limoges – Toulouse, Bordeaux – Marseille lines or the Paris – Rodez – Albi night train. The same reason is given, a “lack of equipment.” » Many trainsets are under maintenance in the SNCF workshops. “The number of shocks has been increasing in recent months, which is currently causing strong tension on the locomotive fleet, due to numerous repairs to be carried out,” we explain to the Intercités management.
In this case, the trains sometimes hit game, particularly wild boars. Above all, they hit trees that fell on the tracks during storms Ciaran and Domingos. These same severe bad weather also hamper, quite significantly, the circulation of TER in the Hauts-de-France region where many trains are also under maintenance.
The situation should return to normal from this Tuesday
“In this context, we have made the decision to reduce the offer on these lines for a few days with on average up to 2 round trips eliminated per line each day,” we tell the Intercités management. Rather than canceling trains overnight, we prefer to assume a limited, controlled and obviously temporary reduction in supply and to contact customers who have booked on the canceled trains as soon as possible, so that they can, free of charge, choose a other train available. »
In some cases, such as Paris – Rodez-Albi (a night train), substitute buses are put in place, with a journey time of more than ten hours. A rumor also suggested, on this line, that trains had been removed for the benefit of Paris – Aurillac, relaunched last Monday. “It’s false,” confides a trade unionist. The trains even ran at the same time on both lines. »
The Intercités’ streamlined transport plan allows agents in the workshops to concentrate on major repairs, rather than rushing to get the train out on time. The situation should return to normal this Tuesday, December 19, “with the objective of successful departures on vacation. »
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