FRANCE: Some trains cancelled as Socialist government faces first transport strike

Record ID: 340931

  • Title: FRANCE: Some trains cancelled as Socialist government faces first transport strike
  • Date: 25th October 2012
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 25, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF GARE DE LYON STATION PASSENGERS WAITING AT INFORMATION BOOTH SCREENS SHOWING TRAIN DELAYS VARIOUS OF PASSENGERS LOOKING AT TRAIN SCHEDULE SCREENS VARIOUS OF SIGN SHOWING STRIKE INFORMATION WOMAN SLEEPING ON FLOOR PASSENGERS WAITING VARIOUS OF LIGHTED SIGNS SHOWING DELAYS (SOUNDBITE) (French) PASSENGER FA
  • Embargoed: 9th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Business,Employment,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAF0LZ3BYSY0LPTTLAXBHY40ME9
  • Story Text: Some train services in France were cancelled on Thursday (October 25) in the first transport strike since the election of Socialist President Francois Hollande earlier this year, on the eve of the peak school holiday season.
    A spokesman for state rail company SNCF, said that the impact of the stoppage was in line with forecasts, and that roughly three out of every 10 high-speed trains were expected to be cancelled, with a similar impact on regional and local services.
    Passengers expressed confusion and frustration with the strikes. Passenger Fabien said the motive of the strike was not made clear to the public.
    "On the internet they were only saying it was related to the 2013 law, but we don't really know why. We're being held hostage as usual. And I can understand strikes, but I'd like to know exactly why we're being held hostage like this," Fabien said.
    Passenger Marie Christine said the strikes along with the price hikes were making travelling difficult.
    "It's always the same thing, it's always during vacations so they can properly annoy passengers. Prices for trains and planes keep rising and there are strikes, so we're never certain we'll get to our destination on time," Marie Christine said.
    The strike was held response to government plans to open rail traffic to outside competition. Trains will resume scheduled operations on Friday morning at 600GMT.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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