The CGT, Unsa and Sud-Rail list numerous malfunctions in these trains which run much more than the TGV Inoui. SNCF Voyageurs defends itself and indicates that “the safety of travelers and agents is an absolute priority”.
Ouigo, the low-cost offer from SNCF Voyageurs, is an undeniable success with a cumulative 110 million passengers transported over the decade (2013-2023), including 25 million last year.
The company has also decided to considerably strengthen its commercial proposition with more destinations and the arrival of 12 new trainsets as part of the “mid-life” renovation, that is to say after fifteen to twenty years. service, classic TGV Inoui which will therefore join the Ouigo offer.
The operator is also banking on refreshing the interiors of existing trains at great expense.
SNCF Voyageurs displays its objectives: that Ouigo represents 30% of its high-speed traffic by 2030 compared to 20% today and 33 million customers per year, or 30% more than last year.
In the meantime, the three SNCF unions (CGT Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire and Sud Rail) are sounding the alarm concerning the reliability (but also the hygiene) of the 38 trains in circulation.
Old trains, more used than the TGV Inoui
It should be remembered that these trains, which are already old, are in high demand since the Ouigo model involves many more rotations and filling than an Inoui TGV in order to generate profitability.
In a press release, the inter-union does not beat around the bush and speaks of “wrecks”.
“It has been more than two years since the condition of our Ouigo trains has deteriorated significantly (…), there is an urgent need to act,” we can read.
And to accuse the management of publishing “an inventory of trains and internal incidents that is well below the situation that we, field agents, know”.
Because by driving too much, the trains are tired, estimate several local branches of the CGT in a separate press release which accuses the management of Ouigo of being “irresponsible”.
The union highlights the example of the 765 train “with axles in poor condition”. And to explain that at the end of November 2024, “a suspicious noise at the axles” was reported by an agent from the Technicentre Atlantique on board.
“Axles in poor condition”, “cockroaches”…
“The concern will prove to be justified. Indeed, the poor condition of the axles noted by the technical team in the evening was such that they had to remove the bolts by hand instead of the machine provided for this purpose Thus, the movement of the train was dangerous, the risk of derailment high” continues the union organization.
The next day, the train was withdrawn from circulation “in extremis at the time of train departure with evacuated passengers. Today, we find it as brand new. But the management is careful not to communicate on this particularly incident severe”.
These local branches of the CGT denounce the “deplorable state” of the TGV Ouigo fleet, affirming that “over the last three months, the TGV Ouigo have accumulated more incidents and cancellations than in the last two years”.
And to list other problems like massive infestations of cockroaches, bedbugs, sealed toilets and broken doors.
“The climax of this situation was reached at the end of November with seven Ouigo trains simultaneously unavailable (…) abandoning thousands of our passengers on the platforms,” we can read.
“Never any risks taken”, says SNCF Voyageurs
By running much more than conventional TGVs (14 hours per day according to the union), the “maintenance time of the trains is insufficient”.
Contacted, SNCF Voyageurs affirms that “the safety of travelers and agents is an absolute priority at Ouigo as for all SNCF Voyageurs trains. No risk has ever been or is taken in this matter”, without providing details. on the question of a faulty axle raised by the CGT.
“The Ouigo trains are benefiting from a major renewal (the most important since its launch in 2013), which is starting to be deployed at the start of the year, with a fleet that is both larger and more modern,” continues a carrier. word.
On the rest of the points raised, the operator simply indicates that “discussions are underway with the trade union organizations and we have every confidence in social dialogue”.
Faced with this situation, the inter-union is calling for a gathering of agents this week and raising the specter of a strike notice.
In any case, by chance or coincidence, the press conference which was to unveil the new interior of Ouigo (named Tango) in January has been postponed, says the CGT, information confirmed by SNCF Voyageurs.
Olivier Chicheportiche Journalist BFM Business
