2023-12-04 15:54:33
The iron curtain of the Mabilais station in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) remains closed. It has been impossible to take metro line B since a fire broke out on November 18 on an electrical supply station at the garage-workshop, causing major damage. Users are struggling despite the implementation of relay buses. Unfortunately, they are unable to support the 100,000 travelers who used the metro daily.
“It’s a big mess,” summarizes Antoine, who is waiting at a stop. The buses are packed. We sometimes let several pass before we manage to get on during rush hours,” he laments. Result: his journey time was extended by three quarters of an hour.
Exhausted bus drivers
“We need to anticipate more,” confirms Mélanie, who nevertheless recognizes the significant efforts made by the management company Keolis. Agents were dispatched to facilitate the boarding of travelers.
Some have adapted by taking the bike but many have also taken out the car, which causes traffic jams on the ring road and in the city center, which are already quite saturated elsewhere. Buses run with difficulty at certain times, as confirmed by a driver, who nevertheless commends the patience of travelers.
During this traditionally busy holiday season, the shutdown of line B accentuates the problems. The CGT wrote to management to inform them of the exhaustion of certain drivers. “Thanks to our subcontractors, we have added more than ten buses as well as drivers,” underlines Ronan Kerloc’h, general manager of Keolis Rennes, who confirms that the return to service of line B will not be possible. intervene before December 18. The best.
Traders cross their fingers
A caution which does not bode well for some Rennes residents, who remember that the opening of this line in September 2022 had been postponed several times, falling more than a year late. Concerns that Siemens Mobility had justified, arguing about the technical complexity of its new automatic metro technology.
This time, again, the complexity seems to be there. “The origin of the fire is still not identified. There was an emergency braking on a train just before but the link has not been established and we may not have the final explanation, which will not prevent the metro from operating again. indicates Ronan Kerloc’h, who insists on the unforeseeable nature of the incident.
Saturday, November 18, a fire of “technical origin” broke out in an electrical room in the workshop garage of line B, causing its total shutdown. Ten days later, the causes have not yet been established. Via@RomainRx https://t.co/XVzQCKox6N
— Philippe Créhange (@pcrehange) November 28, 2023
The fire broke out in one of the worst places, bottom line. “We no longer have power on this part of the track, which is vital because it allows trains to be exited and retracted and their maintenance carried out,” he explains.
The Keolis and Siemens teams will have to build a new electrical architecture. Recommissioning will only take place after a test phase, dry run and administrative authorization.
As for merchants in the city center, we are crossing our fingers as shops have been authorized to open the three Sundays before Christmas. “It’s certain that stopping line B will not make it easier for customers to come to Rennes,” laments the president of the Carré Rennes association, Laurence Taillandier.
Children can rest assured, Santa Claus has never had a sleigh breakdown.
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