Hundreds of thousands of people in France have suffered travel interruptions during the Christmas period as a result of massive strikes in the country, revealed the head of France’s national rail operator.
Speaking to the newspaper Le Monde on Christmas Eve, Jean-Pierre Farandou said SNCF had lost around 400 million euros in revenue due to national action against the proposed pension reforms.
The strikes, which began on December 5, have affected hospitals, schools and even tourist attractions, but recent frustrations have focused on the lack of SNCF services to help people get home at Christmas.
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Farandou said the rail operator could only meet the reservations of 60 percent of its customers over the weekend, forcing about half a million passengers to find alternative routes or cancel plans altogether.
Up to 40 percent of TGV and TER trains were canceled across the country on Christmas Eve, SNCF announced Tuesday.
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1/6 stations closed
Metro stations in Paris closed amid national strikes
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2/6 Paralyzed transport
The rail operator SNCF canceled 90 percent of all high-speed trains in France
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3/6 protests nationwide
People protest against pension reform, in Perpignan, southern France, on December 5, 2019 as part of a national general strike
AFP / Getty
4/6 Departure of public services
Firefighters in Marseille lay on the ground while participating in a demonstration to protest against the pension review.
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5/6 Protesters go out
A man wearing a clown mask and waving a smoke bomb participates in a protest rally for pension reform
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Getty
1/6 stations closed
Metro stations in Paris closed amid national strikes
fake images
2/6 Paralyzed transport
The rail operator SNCF canceled 90 percent of all high-speed trains in France
fake images
3/6 protests nationwide
People protest against pension reform, in Perpignan, southern France, on December 5, 2019 as part of a national general strike
AFP / Getty
4/6 Departure of public services
Firefighters in Marseille lay on the ground while participating in a demonstration to protest against the pension review.
fake images
5/6 Protesters go out
A man wearing a clown mask and waving a smoke bomb participates in a protest rally for pension reform
fake images
6/6
Getty
The unions rejected a request from President Emmanuel Macron, who called for a break in industrial action during the Christmas period.
“The strike action is justifiable and protected by the constitution, but I think there are times in the life of a nation when it is good to observe a truce out of respect for families and family life,” Macron said during a press conference during weekend.
The unions said the strikes will continue until talks with the government begin again in January, with more mass protests scheduled for January 9.
An unexpected protest took place on Monday at the Gare de Lyon in Paris, where riot police clashed with protesters at underground subway barriers.
Ballet dancers and members of the orchestra at the famous Paris Opera also joined the action on Tuesday, presenting part of the Swan Lake on the street in front of the historic …read more
Source:: The media hq – Latest news
