« We love the train. Make us love the SNCF! » This Wednesday, October 4, François Rebsamen (mayor of Dijon), François Sauvadet (president of the Department of Côte-d’Or), Anne Vignot (mayor of Besançon) and Christine Bouquin (president of the Department of Doubs) sign a forum at the attention of the boss of the SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou.
By François Rebsamen, mayor of Dijon, Anne Vignot, mayor of Besançon, François Sauvadetpresident of the Côte-d’Or Department, and Christine Bouquin, president of the Doubs Department.
« In 2020, due to Covid, SNCF suspended, among others, the TGV Mulhouse-Lille service via Belfort-Montbéliard, Besançon, Dijon, Montbard, Marne-la-Vallée and Roissy. “We are not canceling, we are suspending, during the health crisis”, promised the SNCF spokesperson in 2020. The understanding was natural: France was at a standstill and the situation was tragic. Three years later, this service has still not been restored. However, the SNCF announces a record summer with 24 million trips and +10% tickets sold on main lines; even more, tourism attests to this: « the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean were particularly popular this summer, while growth is driven by green destinations, notably the Alps, Burgundy and Alsace. ».
This suspension is starting to last: it is profoundly harmful to the European and international, economic, academic, social and cultural attractiveness of our territories. On the SNCF side, we swear that the affair is not profitable. Nothing proves it and there are many questions. Certainly, the SNCF has financial imperatives. But is this argument the only one to take into account? Does the SNCF intend to soon “suspend” other lines that are popular with travelers, but considered to be in deficit even though the trains are full? Do strategic issues linked to ecology, attractiveness, tourism, regional planning and the needs of the population have so little weight?
There is something very unpleasant about the situation, a sort of deception on the back of Covid, totally unacceptable for us. Elected officials, managers and representatives of our territories, we reaffirm our attachment to the train which, more than ever, is an ecological mode of travel and therefore, of the future. Today, supported by economic players, academics and the population, we unite our voices to demand the restoration of the daily TGV Mulhouse-Lille service. It is crucial for the future of our region and its inhabitants and it is not up to our communities to pay the high price.
Burgundy and Franche-Comté have played a central role in the history of Europe. Together, they now form a region – the 4th largest exporter in France – which today simply needs to be connected to the major economic centers of western France and northern Europe such as Lille, London, Brussels or Amsterdam. Without a rail service that connects us directly to major European cities or to an international airport, how can we plan the development of our territories?
Some fights are at a crossroads. If we don’t lead them, we pay for it for a long time and irreversibly. How is it possible to ignore the call of elected officials, economic and academic decision-makers and the population of our cities and departments which represent 1.2 million inhabitants? Restoring this service means investing in the future, creating opportunities for our citizens and preserving our environment.
Much more than a railway line, the Mulhouse-Lille line embodies the promise of a future for our region. Doing without it is not an option. Every day, loyal SNCF users rail against delays, canceled trains, and lack of information for travelers.
Yes, we prefer the train; Mr Farandou, make us love the SNCF. »
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