End of SNCF strike: Passengers relieved, but still without tickets

Relieved, users must have been in a crowded hall at the Gare Montparnasse in Paris this Friday. However, while everyone cheered for the end of the SNCF controllers’ strike announced a few hours earlier, the good news did not put an end to galleys looking for a ticket or a free train.

A crowd is gathering in front of platform 1 at the level of the security gate. Among the travelers in a hurry, there are many who do not have a ticket. In the turmoil, a handful of ambitious people manage to ride for free and sneak onto the train without the precious sesame.

“I don’t understand why they pick on us”

Miriam is less successful and is reprimanded by the SNCF agent. The Parisian consultant again unsuccessfully tries his luck. “Controllers let through without tickets, I don’t understand: this is the last TGV available for Bordeaux before Sunday,” the 28-year-old complains.

This is disproved a few minutes later when a full train bound for the city of Gironde stops at the end of the platform. Then Miriam takes a decisive step to the cash register and joins the list of the unfortunate, hoping for a miracle at the counter. To get up there, the fight promises to be tough.

Noemi had better luck two days ago. The operator’s assistant received a long-awaited email from SNCF confirming her trip to Nantes (Loire-Atlantique). “I had no other decision, I was determined to come and insist in case of cancellation,” says the 23-year-old girl.

She should be able to safely return to the capital after the New Year, but admits to being annoyed after the stress of the past few days. “I don’t understand why we are being bullied, there are other ways to win the case, except to piss off the clients,” the Parisian, however, is indignant, who will then put her suitcases in the TER towards Saint-Jean. des Monts (Vendée) to spend Christmas with my parents and brother.

“I’d rather pay a fine than stay in Paris”

“They make us look like the bad guys in this story, but we have no choice,” replied the railroad worker, who requested anonymity. If we went on strike on one of the days of September during the week, it would not have the same effect. The skipper supports his comrades, even if he is not involved in the movement. “A day of strike is equivalent to losing 80 euros, I can’t afford it,” he justifies.

Nathan will also not need to take the train without a ticket to find his family in Niort (Des Sèvres). A BTS student of transportation and logistics came to the capital to find his girlfriend and risked getting stuck. “I was ready to cheat: I would rather pay a fine than stay in Paris for the holidays,” the 18-year-old admits with relief. I think we will be tense because people will go for it. »

Hall 1 of the station, full of people on the eve of the Christmas weekend, does not bode well. At the end of each platform, a security officer in an orange vest watches passengers warily, ready to intervene in the event of a stampede.

Pierre decided to walk the route while standing. But, unlike other users, it is out of the question to become illegal. Therefore, he calmly waits for his turn at the box office. “I had to join Nior today because I was on vacation since noon, but there was no train until Saturday,” the 22-year-old firefighter, who trains in Paris, regrets. If this is not possible, I will rent a night in a hotel. »