Train lines and subway disrupted due to France strike, Paris travel worsen

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Due to nationwide strikes over the government’s redesign of the national retirement system, France is bracing for even worse transportation woes during the start of the week.

The strike entered its fourth day on Sunday and saw more travel chaos and man French trains were at a standstill.

Only two lines using the automated trains with no drivers was functioning in Paris, while fourteen of Paris’ subway lines were closed.

Disruptions were faced by the international train routes and Monday had bigger test of the strike movement’s strength and of commuters’ and tourists’ patience.

The SNCF national train network and the Paris transit authority RATP warned travellers to stay away from train stations Monday instead of packing platforms for the few trains still running.

On Sunday afternoon  and evening French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met with government ministers involved in the pension reform, and later met with Macron.

On Wednesday the retirement plan will be released by the Prime Minister and nationwide protests are scheduled on Tuesday.

According to Macron, a centrist former investment banker, argues that the retirement overhaul will make a convoluted, out-dated pension system more fair and financially sustainable, uniting 42 different plans into one. However, the government believes that  it won’t change the official retirement age of 62. The new plan is expected to include financial conditions to encourage people to work longer as lifespans lengthen.

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