A SNCF double-decker leaving a Paris station; no longer a rare sight.
For Monday Some Public Transport Expected for Weary Commuters
50 Percent Rolling, for First Monday in Three Weeks; 100 Precent Free Rides Tomorrow
Richard Erickson's Paris Journal - Freelance Correspondent to the Paris Pages
All images copyright (c) December 1995 Richard Erickson - used with permission
Paris, Sunday, 17. December 1995:- Parisians were so tired today that they
could mount only a couple of small demonstrations. 3000 doctors marched
through the streets, as sort of a reminder that part of the recent conflict
has been about the future of social security.
If doctors such as these are marching today in Paris, maybe it
will lawyers and accountants tomorrow.
With only eight shopping days left before Christmas, shoppers could not get
up the energy to storm stores and shops, which remained open in Paris, and
throughout France, today. Sportng goods shops are still doing a good
business selling bicycles and roller skates, but in most other shops,
people have little desire to buy; as if making decisions simply requires
too much effort. It is no comfort to store proprietors that they have such
a wide availability of items in stock.
Transport Preview for Monday in Paris
The Paris Transport authority, the RATP, has announced that all travel in
the Paris region will be free on Monday. This includes Metro, buses, and
the RER. However, full pre-strike service should not be expected. The
estimate is for 100 percent of the Metro, except for line three; but only
20 percent of buses will be circulating.
The alternate emergency transport services should be operating tomorrow as
usual, according to TV news reports.
For the Ile-de-France, the SNCF direction has announced that they will have
about 50 percent of their trains running. If this 50 percent is
concentrated in the rush- hours, getting to work will be fairly normal.
Nationally, the SNCF has announced that 50 percent of all TGV trains will
be in operation; and full service is expected to be restored by the end of
the week. There is a new information number concerning the long-distance
trains: telephone 05 411 411. This is a toll-free number. It would be wise
to call this number because SNCF workers in Marseille and Rouen voted today
to extend their strike for 24 hours, partly on account of local issues.
I have no information about other services such as the airports, post,
telephone, electricity or teachers; as soon as I have the latest, it will
be posted here.
Here are the main transport information numbers:
- RATP information, call 05 15 11 11, toll-free.
- SNCF information, call 05 15 24 24 or 05 411 411, toll-free.
Check the other information numbers, by switching from this page to the
'Strike' page. Use the hotlink at the top of this page: 'The Paris Pages,'
and then choose
'Strike' to go to the section devoted to wider information on the strikes.
Tomorrow should provide a clearer idea of the scope of public transport
restoration, so expect to see an update here - if we can wake up in time to
do it.
Return to Richard Erickson's Paris Journal
Updated 12/95
