The three major unions of the SNCF have identified numerous malfunctions on the TGV Ouigo trains. According to them, they are “wrecks”.
SNCF unions are warning about the state of the Ouigo TGVs. In fact, the company's three unions (CGT Cheminots, Unsa-Ferroviaire and Sud Rail) are sounding the alarm on the reliability and hygiene of the 38 trains in circulation, reported BFM BusinessMonday January 6. The trains are, in fact, very old and much more in use because the Ouigo model involves more rotations and filling than an Inoui TGV. The inter-union described these trains as“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“, she said in a press release. She also accused the management of having “an inventory of trains and internal incidents well below the situation that we, field agents, know”.
SNCF Voyageurs affirms that there were never any risks taken
Until November 2024, “a suspicious noise from the axles” was reported by an agent, according to the CGT. “The poor condition of the axles noted by the evening technical team 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 high derailment“, she added in a press release. The train was removed the next day, “in extremis at the time of train departure with passengers evacuated”.
For its part, SNCF Voyageurs, which has decided to considerably strengthen its TGV Ouigo offer in the future, ensures that “no risk has ever been or is taken in this matter”. “The Ouigo trains are benefiting from a major renewal (the most significant 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”mentioned the operator.
published on January 6 at 8:19 p.m., Lilian Moy, 6Medias
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