Laon-Paris regulars will remember their Easter weekend. Especially the return to Paris, Monday April 1st.
“It’s a public holiday, so there are fewer trains,” confides a traveler returning from Soissons. Most people who went away for the weekend took the 4:58 p.m. train. Because the one after that was leaving in the evening. It was obviously a short train…”
The SNCF alternates short and long trains, depending on the timetable. “Often, the most crowded train has a reduced number of cars,” continues the traveler. We don’t know why, but that’s how it is.”
This Monday, April 1, it was beyond worrying. Having left Laon, the train was already crowded upon arrival in Soissons. To the point that the driver would have hesitated to leave. “At least that’s the rumor that circulated among the passengers,” continues the native of Soisson, who lives in Paris, where she works in the banking sector.”
“A 94-year-old gentleman asked me for my place on the luggage rack”
To enter the train, we had to squeeze, even contort, between the luggage racks, the bicycle racks and the seats reduced to the bare minimum… Yes, these are modern trains.
“A 94-year-old gentleman (he was the one who told me his age) asked me if he could take the place on the luggage rack,” continues the traveler. Another occupant advised her to ask for a seat. Like I was complaining, but he envied my position on the luggage rack, even though my back was crooked.”
In Villers-Cotterêts, other users participated in a game of human Tetris. More numerous, tighter! “I have never experienced such a chaotic trip,” continues the Soissonnaise. Everyone was in an uncomfortable position.”
In Crépy, you can take the Transilien to reach the RER
In Crépy-en-Valois, the train driver advised travelers to leave this TER in Hauts-de-France. In this same station there is the Transilien, which goes to Mitry-Mory, via line K. At Mitry-Mory, you can take the RER to Paris.
Several travelers have chosen this option. Especially since the Laon-Paris route passed through Creil, which lengthened the journey time. Another coquetry from the SNCF, which schedules a short train with a longer journey than usual: 1h48, or half an hour off. “It seems like they want to make us pay for going away for the weekend,” concludes the traveler, who wanted a bathroom break. “Impossible to go to the TER toilets,” she said. People would have had to move and they could no longer move.”
Alas, no toilets in the Transilien. “But at least we are seated,” concludes the traveler.
You see, they are content with little, these train users!
