Due to the energy shortage, French authorities are reportedly working on scenarios to significantly curb train services.
According to an exclusive report by the daily Le Parisien, government officials have instructed national rail company SNCF to consider potentially cutting the number of trains in the event of a major power outage.
Citing a company official, the newspaper reported that “company members were shocked by the instruction from above.”
“Actually, the transportation plan has been adapted to the needs of passengers. Nothing more or less,” the newspaper quoted one of the firm’s executives as saying.
Still, complying with the government’s request will be a priority for the SNCF, added the executives.
The annual energy consumed by the SNCF, with its fleet of 1,000 High Speed trains (TGV) and 14,000 Regional Express Transport (TER), corresponds to 1-2% of annual electricity consumption of France. That is more than the consumption of the capital Paris and city of Marseille, according to the report.
