Railworkers To Go On 36-Hour Strike

Railway workers in France will launch a 36-hour nationwide strike beginning at 2000 local time (1900 GMT) on 2 February to protest changes proposed by the French rail network SNCF that would restructure its operations. The work stoppage is expected to result in disruptions to rail services and reduced capacity that will significantly impact rail services on 3 February. The impacted services include high-speed TGV trains operating domestically and regional TER routes; international services (including Eurostar, Thalys, Lyria, Artesia and Alleo) are expected to operate normally. Between 33 percent and 50 percent of trains on the impacted routes will be cancelled as a result of the strike. In the Paris area, normal service is expected on RER Line A, but other local services operated by SNCF will experience disruptions.