Today’s cross-sector strike in France: up to 50% of trains cancelled
TER and Intercités trains are worst affected, especially around Nouvelle-Aquitaine
One in two TER and Intercités trains are cancelled today on average in France
Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock
One in two regional trains are cancelled in some areas of France today (October 18) as the result of an interprofessional strike calling for salary increases and solidarity with striking refinery workers.
Read more: Fuel strikes renewed, what is the situation at French petrol stations?
Regional trains are worst affected by the mobilisation, with one in two TER and Intercités train cancelled on average across the country.
Intercités trains will be especially affected between Bordeaux and Marseille, Nantes and Bordeaux and Paris-Limoges-Toulouse.
There will also be some disruption on TGV Atlantique, Ouigo and Eurostar services, as well as connections with Spain.
You can find out more about affected services through the SNCF website.
In Paris, métro services are expected to run as normal, but one in three buses will be affected.
In the wider Paris region, three in every four RER A and B will be operating.
The strike, which has been organised by the CGT, FO, Solidaires, FSU and several other unions is also affecting sectors including nuclear power, some care services, heavy goods transportation, manufacturing, education, farming and retail.
Read more: What to expect from today’s multi-sector strike in France
Some 150 marches are planned across the country, with one demonstration beginning at Paris’ Place d’Italie at 14:00, heading for Place Vauban.
Some unions, including SUD-Rail, could renew the strike tomorrow, which could cause disruption leading into the Toussaint school holidays.
SUD-Rail’s federal secretary Erik Meyer has said that today is looking like “a fairly successful strike day,” with one in two train drivers mobilised and almost as many signalmen.
The last national day of interprofessional action on September 29 saw 118,500 people gather for demonstrations across the country, with 13,500 in Paris, according to the police. The unions put the total at 250,000 and 40,000 in Paris.
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