Public Sector Transit Strikes Put Paris On Foot

Paris Copes with Metro Zero, RER Zero, Local and National SNCF Trains Zero

SNCF railworkers and managers are continuing local strike, including regional RER system; it is sixth day of the strike. Of 500 trains scheduled to leave Paris yesterday, only eight departed.

There is no public transport in the 12 million inhabitant Paris region today. No lines of the Metro are operating nor are any RATP buses. No regional or surburban lines of the RER or SNCF trains are operating.

RATP Metro and bus strikers occupy RATP headquarters at Quai de la Rapee. Today is third day of RATP strike.

Combined length of traffic jams estimated to total 500 kms; within 30 km radius of Paris at 7:00 this morning.

University students still on strike, for more facilities, more teachers. Demonstrations continue daily in Paris and throughout France.

Power cuts announced by EDF-GDF (Electricité de France - Gaz de France) for today not believed to be widespread. Union members of state-owned EDF marched from Montparnasse to Invalides this morning.

La Poste: 50 percent of sorting centers on strike today. Many sorting centers are close to, or within, SNCF installations. Posties believed to be infected by SNCF strikers.

France's domestic airline Air Inter is booking record numbers of passengers. Taxi drivers suggesting pickup at 6 am to get 11:00 plane departures. Auto rental companies increase advertising, especially for airport locations. However, no cars are now available before Friday.

Private bus companies reported to have 2200 buses available, but are fully booked. The mayor of a small commune outside Paris (Yerres in Essonne) rented six buses to transport 400 local taxpayers to work and back in Paris: costing 6000 francs a day.

Hitchhiking better than walking; certain 'auto-stoppeurs' thoughtful enough to hitchhike with motorcycle helmets are getting faster rides - with some of those 'mean' moto messanger guys sometimes even going out of their way to deliver a passenger.

Channel ferries have been diverted to Belgian ports. Eurotunnel 'Eurostar' trains are also shut down.

Despite continuing student demos on Left Bank this evening, traffic at Place de Concorde not as bad as feared.

Peugeot announced laying off thousands at its factory in Mulhouse (eastern France) tomorrow because of impossibility of moving new cars out of plant by rail.

Sport shops report monster increase in sales of roller skates and bicycles.

A few companies with their own parking lots are organising car pools.

Some taxi drivers are reported to be turning off time-based taxometres while stuck in traffic jams. Taxi companies not taking usual reservations in advance; radio cabs advising callers to be ready to wait at least 20 minutes - 15 minute Paris' trips are taking 45 on average.

Demonstration scene in provincial French city: authorities give 20,000 as number of marchers.

Today was also the 15th edition of "The Day of Public Transport," in France. The events, is staged at Lille-Grand Palais today and tomorrow. 130 other towns are taking part with local actions, around the theme of public transport. Outside of Paris, local public transport (mostly bus) is functioning normally. While organisers in Lille arranged alternative transport (buses) to enable Paris functionaries to attend, the 'ministre des Transports', Bernard Pons, canceled his appearance.

Owners of driving schools and their instructors chose yesterday to demonstrate with their 'learner' cars, on the autoroute A 3 going out of Paris. They were protesting against the driver's licence inspectors, who have been on strike for six weeks. No new driver's licences have been issued during this period.

The "Salon Nautique," Paris premier boat show, scheduled to open doors at Porte de Versailles on Saturday, 2 December, is dismayed by almost exclusive choice of Metro tunnel billboards and RATP bus advertising to bring in a hoped for 300 thousand visitors. Parking facilities near the Porte de Versailles are not extensive. The boats have already arrived for display.

Return to Richard Erickson's Paris Journal

Updated 11/95