Relieved, users were certainly this Friday in the teeming hall of Montparnasse station in Paris. However, if all greeted with relief the end of the strike of the controllers of the SNCF announced a few hours earlier, the good news does not put an end to the jails to find a ticket or an available train.
In front of platform number 1, a crowd gathers at the height of the security gates. Among the travelers in a hurry, many are those who do not have a ticket. In this turmoil, a handful of ambitious people manage to break free and sneak into the train without the precious sesame.
“I don’t understand why they are picking on us”
Myriam is less successful and is reprimanded by a SNCF agent. The Parisian consultant tries her luck again, without success. “The inspectors let people pass without a ticket, I don’t understand: it is the latest TGV available for Bordeaux before Sunday,” grumbles the 28-year-old.
He is proven wrong minutes later when a full train bound for the Gironde city stops at the end of the platform. Myriam then goes with a determined step towards the ticket office and joins the list of unfortunate victims hoping for a miracle at the counter. To climb there, the battle promises to be tough.
Two days ago, Noémie was luckier. The camera assistant received the long-awaited email from the SNCF confirming her trip to Nantes (Loire-Atlantique). “I had no other solution, I was determined to come and push in case of cancellation”, says the young 23 year old.
She should be able calmly return to the capital after the New Year but confides her exasperation after the stress of the past few days. “I don’t understand why they are persecuting us, there are other ways to win the case than to piss off the customers”, the Parisian is indignant, however, who will then put her bags in a TER in the direction of Saint-Jean -de-Monts (Vendée) to spend Christmas with his parents and brother.
“I’d rather pay the fine than stay in Paris”
“They make us look like the villains of history, but we have no choice,” replied a railway worker who wished to remain anonymous. If we strike on a weekday in September, it wouldn’t have the same impact. The skipper supports his companions, even if he does not participate in the movement. “A day of strike is equivalent to 80 euros lost, I can’t afford it”, he justifies himself.
Nathan also won’t need to get on a train without a ticket to find his family in Niort (Deux-Sèvres). The BTS transport and logistics student had arrived in the capital to find his girlfriend and risked being stranded. “I was ready to cheat: I’d rather pay the fine than stay in Paris for the holidays,” admits the 18-year-old with relief. I think we will be close because people will accept it. »
VIDEO. SNCF strike: “The priority is no longer Christmas, it’s going home”
Hall 1 of the station, full of people this Christmas weekend, does not bode well. At the end of each platform, a safety officer in an orange vest watches passengers with a keen eye, ready to intervene in the event of a jostle.
Pierre is determined to walk the route on his feet. But unlike other users, it’s not about going illegal. He then quietly waits his turn in line at the ticket office. “I had to reach Niort today, because I’ve been on vacation since noon, but there was no train available before Saturday, the 22-year-old firefighter regrets in training in Paris. If that’s not possible, I’ll take a night in a hotel. »
