If the disappearance of Fret SNCF is scheduled for January, lines have already been left to the competition for several months. “ In one year, we went from 12 freight drivers to only 4, we barely have any work left. », says Loïc Guigou, secretary of the CGT railway workers of Vaucluse, himself fully concerned. The driver reception center in Avignon will close. “ We have no vision of the future and the future framework in the face of this social, ecological and economic carnage. “, he laments.
However, there is no question of giving up. In a vast area of the Avignon area, where two thirds of trips are made by car, the union is finalizing a rail development project (TER, freight, etc.) which should be presented at the start of the year. The CGT railway workers is particularly fully involved in the metropolitan RER process, known as Serm*, including that of Avignon certified by the State in June. A program which could, however, be revised downwards has already warned the Minister of Transport, François Durovray (LR), against a backdrop of budgetary restrictions…
« We can expect anything but given the climate emergency, going back on it would be a misinterpretation of history », Estimates Loïc Guigou. Greater cadence on the right bank of the Rhône, – “ we have inexpensive technical solutions on the railway star, it depends on political will » –, reopening of Pontet station and a railway stop in Barbentane… « the railway network must be the backbone, supplemented behind by tram and bus lines with amplitude », Develops Jean-François Chamayou, member of the CGT railway workers’ office. “ With staff », adds Loïc Guigou, faced with the human desertion of the counters.
