From this Wednesday, September 10, you’re likely to find it very difficult to get around… A huge call for a general strike was launched a few weeks ago with the aim of “blocking everything”: schools, hospitals, roads, trains, metro, airports… everything is likely to be frozen. A strong sign of protest against current budgetary austerity. Here’s the latest news…
RATP: RER trains heavily impacted by strike in Paris
According to Le Parisien, the four main unions are calling for a massive demonstration on September 18. La Base, the majority union among RER drivers, is calling for strike action “in all possible forms”. These groups represent 90% of RATP’s workforce…
For the time being, RATP expects normal traffic levels for the RER A and all its metros and streetcars. However, traffic will be disrupted on the RER B, C, D, E and H, J, K, L, N, P, R, U lines. For buses, 9 out of 10 should operate normally.
Trains and subways currently disrupted in Paris :
- Line 6: Cambronne stop not served until September 28
- Line 10: Until October 2, from Sunday to Thursday, evenings from 10:30 pm, traffic is interrupted on the entire line due to modernization work.
- RER A: until October 10, from 10:45 pm, traffic is interrupted between Paris Gare du Nord and Aéroport Charles De Gaulle 2-TGV/Mitry-Claye.
- RER B: this weekend, traffic will be interrupted between Paris Nord and Aéroport CDG2-TGV
- RER D: until October 31st, Monday to Friday from 11:20pm, traffic is interrupted between Gare du Nord and Creil due to roadworks.
- Line J: on the weekends of September 13-14 and 20-21, traffic is interrupted between Paris Saint-Lazare and Val de Reuil.
- K line: until the evening of December 19, traffic is interrupted between Paris Gare du Nord and Crépy-en-Valois.
- Line L: on the weekends of September 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 and October 04-05, traffic is interrupted between Suresnes Mont Valérien and Versailles Rive Droite / Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche.
- Line N: until December 12, traffic is interrupted between Paris Est and Coulommiers on weekdays from 9:30pm.
- R line: until September 19, traffic is interrupted between Melun and Montereau via Héricy.
- U line: until September 12, traffic is interrupted between La Défense and La Verrière.
SNCF: your journey should be guaranteed during the strike
All TGVs should run normally, including InOui, Ouigo and cross-border trains. However, all travelers should check the SNCF information 24 to 48 hours before their trip to see if they are affected by the strike.
On the roads: blockades on the Paris ring road from 00:00
As you can imagine, the roads will not be exempt. For this huge “block everything” operation, traffic jams and road blockades are expected as early as 6 a.m., according to the “Peuple Révolté” collective. According to Le Monde, some activists plan to block several entrances to the ring road between Tuesday night (September 9) and Wednesday night (September 10). These include the Porte d’Italie, Porte de Bagnolet, Porte de la Chapelle, Porte de Montreuil and Porte d’Orléans.
Hospitals, schools, universities: a blockade expected
Hospitals in the Paris region could also be heavily affected by the strike. The same applies to schools, high schools and universities , which are expected to be blockaded. Sciences Po has announced that all its Parisian sites will be closed tomorrow, prompting teachers and students to attend classes remotely.
In all cases, and if you can, give preference to teleworking and avoid public transport.