Strike on March 7: What disruptions are expected in transportation?

Less than 48 hours before the pension reform strike, RATP and SNCF have shared their transportation forecasts.

Buses, metros, and trams in Île-de-France will be heavily disrupted tomorrow, following the planned strike against pension reform. The Orlyval line is the only one completely shut down, but traffic is very slow on the rest of the RATP network. On the SNCF network, an average of 1 in 5 trains will run on the TGV INOUI and OUIGO services.

This strike has been making headlines since the February 16th, with unions loudly proclaiming their intention to “bring France to a halt”. They criticize the government for raising the retirement age to 64 and for revaluing “small pensions” to at least 1200 euros per month.

What are the expected disruptions on the SNCF network?

Nationwide, all SNCF TGV INOUI services will be interrupted, with only 1 train in 5 operating on the North, East, and Atlantic axes. The disruption is slightly less on the South-East Axis, with about one in three trains running. For OUIGO trains, 1 in 4 will operate within France. Internationally, Eurostar and Thalys will run at about 2 trains in 3.

The Intercités trains are also heavily affected. No Intercités trains will run, except for a round trip between Paris and Brive-la-Gaillarde and two round trips between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand. Normal service is maintained between Toulouse and Hendaye thanks to a replacement bus. However, during the nights from Monday to Wednesday, no Intercités trains will run.

Additionally, TER regional trains will be severely disrupted, with about 1 train in 5 running on average. SNCF advises travelers to check via the app or regional websites for updated information.

The Transilien network serving the Île-de-France region will be heavily disrupted tomorrow. Here are the details: 

• Lines H/K/U: 1 train in 3
• Lines J/L/N/R: 1 train in 5
• Line P: 1 train in 10 (no service on Meaux La Ferté – Milon, Meaux – Château Thierry, Tournan – Coulommiers, and Gretz – Provins axes)
• T4/T11/T13: normal traffic

Furthermore, RER trains will be highly impacted tomorrow:

• RER A: 1 train in 3
• RER B: 1 train in 3 (interconnection suspended at Paris Nord station, train transfer required) ;
• RER C: 1 train in 5 (no service between Paris Austerlitz and Pontoise/Saint-Quentin en Yvelines/Versailles Rive Gauche) ;
• RER D: 1 train in 5 (interconnection suspended between Châtelet-les Halles and Gare de Lyon, no trains between these stations) ;
• RER E: 1 train in 10 (no service between Haussmann St Lazare and Pantin)

Travelers with TGV and Intercités tickets affected by cancellations will be contacted by email or SMS to rebook their tickets free of charge on another train whenever possible, or to cancel via SNCF websites and apps for a full refund. Those whose trains are running will have the same options. These steps should be taken before the train departs.

And what about the RATP network?

The Autonomous Parisian Transportation Authority (RATP) remains firm in its position compared to SNCF. Traffic will be difficult, and travelers should be prepared to exercise patience.

This tweet provides all the details of the expected disruptions: 

This social movement contrasts sharply with the February 16th strike, when circulation problems were less severe. Some unions, including CGT and Solidarités, are calling for an ongoing strike. This could significantly disrupt future journeys for travelers across the country. 

SNCF and RATP advise travelers to postpone their trips if possible, preferring remote work. SNCF Voyageurs recommends that travelers who cannot delay their trip check train circulation status on Monday, March 6, at 5 p.m.

Stay patient and calm if you need to travel tomorrow, and be respectful of other passengers!

Also read: Train: SNCF summer tickets available on March 8