“I have to cancel my daughters’ birthday”: at Saint-Charles station, the SNCF strike affects these travelers

On the billboard at Saint-Charles station, everything looks normal. Most departing trains are announced on time. In the hall, the endless barrage of travelers dragging wheeled suitcases and other bags does not disturb. However, February 16 marks the beginning of a strike movement among SNCF controllers. But on closer inspection, we realize that train traffic has nothing to do with a normal day. Within two hours, only two TGVs appeared on the track. The other trains are all TER, or Intercités. Deleted trains are not visible.

For TGV Inoui, TGV Ouigo and Intercités, traffic was halved from Friday. At Saint-Charles, one of the largest stations in France, there was no time for panic. But many commuters had their eyes glued to their smartphone screens, sometimes looking resigned or disappointed that the train they were supposed to take had been cancelled. “I had planned my daughters birthday this weekend, I have to cancel everythingSmoked Gauthier, sitting on the bench with his partner. We were on vacation in Marseille and we are returning to Paris. He was with his grandmother in Bordeaux. Apart from that, all Bordeaux-Paris trains have been cancelled. They make trains available, after an hour they are no longer available. We have a blended family, it is complicated for us to organize ourselves.

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“Incomprehensible” strike for some tourists

A few meters ahead, Quentin and Mary, with their two children, examine the train display board. “We come from Toulouse” suggests the couple, who had to review their plans. We were supposed to take the train at 8:30 AM. Finally, we were supposed to take the 6:40 PM train. All other trains were either canceled or full.“In the tumult of Saint-Charles station, passengers wait for the connection to Cannes.”The train is scheduled for 1:30 pm, it has not been cancelled. We will try to get it. For the moment, we are not canceling our weekend.“

Toulouse is where Lorenz, 16 years old, son of Stephane, resident of La Seine-sur-Mer, goes. “It travels regularly between Toulouse and MarseilleThe father says, his son’s suitcase in hand, indicating that the train takes the famous Marseille-Bordeaux line. His train was canceled this afternoon. I had to take the last one available, which was leaving at 11:22 this morning. His mother takes him back, but that changes everything.“

The father of the family knows him, “We are not the most impressed“.”But what bothers us is that SNCF has decided to encourage ski departures

He whispers. It seems that the other travelers are secondary. These are purely commercial considerations.“Controllers strike, it finds”incomprehensible“.”He had a raise of €500 in two years. By striking too much, it will dilute the impact of their demands.“Beginning on Thursday February 15 at 8 pm, the social movement is scheduled to last until Monday 19, 8 am.

In any case what comes to the mouth of many users met in Saint-Charles is the lack of information from SNCF. “The notice period is very short, Plague Gauthier. “I got a message yesterday at 8 pm, at the last minute, that my train has been maintained.gives confidence to Paul, who had left Carcassonne, awaiting a union with Les Arcs. I was lucky, they kept the intersits I took, when I started looking into carpooling. I hope my correspondence will be maintained.“

Compensation for travelers affected by cancellations

Under the sun in the square, facing the Good Mother, Luna and Indra discuss the punctuality of Japanese trains while smoking cigarettes. They, on the contrary, find that they “Quite well informed“.”We received a confirmation email in advanceThe two artists are said to be training at the Cours Florent, Paris, going in turn to Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. Whereas normally, when there is a strike, we get nothing.“

Mathilde, a 30-year-old engineer had to take a train to Paris. A flight to Thailand awaits him at the Paris airport. But his oigo was cancelled. “

We’re going on a night bus to Paris, it’s hell She storms off.We can’t sleep on transit, so we’ll come in 72 hours after not sleeping.“The Girl Who”Never take the train“well succeeded”Grab another Ouigo“, but that caused her to arrive in Paris very early before her flight.”I could exchange it for another one for free, but it was all sold out. I sent a refund request.

“She should get 150% of the ticket price as compensation. Not sure if this is enough to get her to choose the train.