:quality(70):focal(2543x2093:2553x2103)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/liberation/N6DIU5PEZRE7FBIGXTCC6UXSWU.jpg "Two Anger Trains Protest in Paris for More SNCF Investment")
Two Anger Trains Protest in Paris for More SNCF Investment
- PARIS (AP) — Hundreds of commuters and local officials from the Paris-Orleans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) lines converged in Paris tuesday, April 15, staging what they dubbed "Trains of Anger" to...
- Jean-Noël Boisseleau, emergency vice president of the POLT line, contends that the conventional rail network has suffered since the introduction of high-speed TGV trains in 1981.
- Serge Rigal, president of the Lot department, through which the POLT line runs, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We are considered second-class citizens with increasingly slow and less reliable...
Anger on the Rails: protests Erupt Over French Train Delays, Underinvestment
PARIS (AP) — Hundreds of commuters and local officials from the Paris-Orleans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) lines converged in Paris tuesday, April 15, staging what they dubbed “Trains of Anger” to demand increased investment in the heavily used but often-neglected rail routes. The protesters voiced frustration over persistent delays, service cancellations, and frequent locomotive failures.
Decades of Neglect?
Jean-Noël Boisseleau, emergency vice president of the POLT line, contends that the conventional rail network has suffered since the introduction of high-speed TGV trains in 1981. “On the POLT line, everything needs to be redone: the rails, the crossties, the ballast, the catenary posts, the contact wires… and the locomotives need to be repaired,” Boisseleau said.
Serge Rigal, president of the Lot department, through which the POLT line runs, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are considered second-class citizens with increasingly slow and less reliable journeys.”
paris-Clermont line Woes
Similar issues plague the Paris-Clermont line.Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot acknowledged the substandard service quality on this route. in response, he announced a “price gesture” in Clermont-Ferrand: 10,000 tickets for sale at 19 euros in June, a 10% reduction on subscriptions, and a policy of 200% reimbursement for delays exceeding three hours.
According to the minister’s office and user associations, approximately one in five trains on the Paris-Clermont line experienced delays of more than five minutes in 2024. In January, a locomotive breakdown left passengers stranded, resulting in a nearly 12-hour delay in reaching Paris.
SNCF’s Modernization Efforts
The SNCF, France’s national railway company, initiated a modernization program in 2018 targeting both the POLT and Paris-Clermont lines, describing them as “two major expansion axes” still burdened by “heterogeneous and aging technical installations.” The company has pledged nearly 3 billion euros in “unprecedented investments” by 2027.
Calls for More Investment
Boisseleau argues that the current regeneration efforts are insufficient. He estimates that an additional 2.5 to 3 billion euros are needed to bring the lines up to modern standards. “We do not dispute what the SNCF says. It is simply said to be good, but insufficient,” he stated. His association aimed to gather between 500 and 800 demonstrators in Paris,uniting travelers from both lines at the Austerlitz station,joined by railway workers.
Restructuring Criticized
Boisseleau also criticized the 2018 restructuring of the SNCF, which divided the company into five separate entities: SNCF Network, SNCF Travelers, SNCF Gares and Connections, Fret SNCF, and SNCF Holding. “We multiplied the bureaucracy to the detriment of the core business. We no longer have enough drivers, controllers, staff in stations and counters,” Boisseleau said.
Key Routes
The POLT line, spanning more than 700 kilometers, and the Clermont-Paris line, covering 420 kilometers, serve 2.6 million and 1.9 million passengers respectively in intercity trains. The SNCF aims to make journeys “faster, more reliable, and more accessible” through modernization.
Disruptions Ahead
However, the SNCF’s renovation plans are not without controversy. A large-scale rail renewal operation on the POLT line in the Loiret region, extending over 70 kilometers, will lead to periodic traffic interruptions.
The project is divided into three phases: preparatory work from April 22 to Aug. 1, main work from Aug. 4 to the end of January 2026 (with a break during the Christmas holidays), and finishing work from the end of January 2026 until march 26, 2026.
SNCF Responds
Hélène Marquet, regional director of TER SNCF Travelers, told a regional daily that the preparatory work from April 22 to Aug. 1, will have “limited impacts, mainly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.” She added that “more than 90% of the 365 weekly circulations using the axis will be provided.” The main work from aug. 4 to the end of January 2026,will impact weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Efficiency vs.Disruption
The SNCF stated that the renovations will “fully renovate” the tracks using a “user train, a real rolling plant capable of very high yields,” arguing that “without this industrial organization, these works would last several years.”
Boisseleau criticized this approach, suggesting that traffic could have been maintained on one track while the other was under repair. “But for SNCF, financially, it costs less to block time slots and use both lanes simultaneously occurring,” he said.
French Rail Woes: protests, Delays, and teh Future of the POLT and Paris-Clermont Lines
France’s rail network, notably the Paris-Orleans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) and Paris-Clermont lines, has recently faced meaningful challenges, leading to public protests and calls for increased investment. This article dives into the heart of the issue, exploring the reasons behind the anger, the SNCF’s efforts to modernize, and the impact on passengers.
What sparked the recent protests concerning the POLT and Paris-Clermont lines?
The protests, dubbed “Trains of Anger,” were triggered by a combination of factors, primarily involving persistent delays, service cancellations, and frequent locomotive failures.Commuters and local officials voiced their frustration over the unreliable and often substandard service on these heavily used routes.
What are the main issues plaguing the POLT and Paris-Clermont lines?
Both lines are facing significant challenges. The POLT line suffers from aging infrastructure, including rails, crossties, ballast, and catenary posts. Locomotives also require repair. The Paris-Clermont line experiences similar problems, compounded by delays and breakdowns. The government has acknowledged the substandard service quality, reflecting the need for urgent improvements.
How bad are the delays on these lines?
On the Paris-Clermont line, approximately one in five trains experienced delays of more than five minutes in 2024. A significant incident, such as a January locomotive breakdown, caused a near 12-hour delay for passengers traveling to Paris. This demonstrates a clear and present impact on daily commutes.
What is the SNCF doing to address these problems?
The SNCF (France’s national railway company) initiated a modernization program in 2018 targeting both the POLT and Paris-Clermont lines. This involves significant investments aimed at upgrading the infrastructure and improving service reliability. According to reports, there’s almost 3 billion euros pledged in investments by 2027.
Are the SNCF’s modernization efforts sufficient?
Not according to some critics. Jean-Noël Boisseleau, emergency vice president of the POLT line, argues that more investment is needed. He estimates an additional 2.5 to 3 billion euros are necessary to bring the lines up to modern standards, highlighting the belief that the SNCF’s current plans are good but insufficient.
What are the key routes affected by these issues?
The primary routes in focus are the POLT line,which spans over 700 kilometers,and the Paris-Clermont line,covering 420 kilometers. These lines serve a large number of passengers: 2.6 million on POLT intercity trains and 1.9 million on the Clermont-Paris line. The SNCF aims to make these journeys “faster, more reliable, and more accessible” through modernization.
What are the main phases of the renovation work on the POLT line?
The POLT line’s renovation work has been divided into three phases:
- Preparatory Work: April 22 to August 1 (limited impact, mainly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
- Main Work: August 4 to the end of January 2026 (with a break during the Christmas holidays, impacting weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
- Finishing Work: End of January 2026 until March 26, 2026
What measures are being implemented to mitigate the impact of delays?
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced a “price gesture” for the Paris-Clermont line, including 10,000 tickets for sale at 19 euros in June, a 10% reduction on subscriptions, and a policy offering a 200% reimbursement for delays exceeding three hours.
What is the SNCF’s approach to renovating the tracks?
The SNCF is employing a “user train,” a real rolling plant, for track renovations.This method is designed to achieve “very high yields,” aiming to complete the work more efficiently. The SNCF argues that without this industrial organization, the renovations would take several years.
What’s the criticism of the SNCF’s renovation approach?
Critics, like Jean-noël Boisseleau, suggest that traffic could have been maintained on one track while the other was under repair. The financial outlook is also explored, hinting that to block time slots and work on both lanes concurrently saves costs for SNCF.
Who is Hélène Marquet, and what dose she have to say?
Hélène Marquet, regional director of TER SNCF Travelers, has stated that preparatory work, running from April 22 to August 1, will cause limited impact, primarily between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.. She also added that more than 90% of the 365 weekly circulations using the axis will be provided.
the situation on France’s rail lines highlights the importance of investing in infrastructure. It must balance the need for efficiency with minimizing disruption to passengers. Whether the SNCF’s current plans will fully satisfy the demands of commuters and local officials remains to be seen. The continued dialog between stakeholders will be crucial in shaping the future of these vital rail routes.