SNCF Pledges ‘As Normal As Possible’ Service Amid Looming Rail Strikes in France

Paris, May 4, 2025 — France’s national rail operator, SNCF, has vowed to maintain rail services “as normal as possible” in the face of a new wave of strikes scheduled to begin this week, as tensions rise over employee scheduling and pay. The commitment comes just ahead of a busy holiday period, with rail users bracing for potential travel disruptions.

Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs—the subsidiary overseeing passenger services—sought to reassure travelers on Sunday, telling Agence France-Presse (AFP) that high-speed TGV services would operate normally from Monday, May 5, through Thursday, May 8.

“We are far from a black week; there will be no complete halt,” Fanichet emphasized. “Our objective is a week as normal as possible.”

The strike action was called by two major rail unions—CGT-Cheminots and SUD-Rail—who argue that last-minute scheduling changes and stagnant wages are pushing employees to their limits. Adding to the pressure, the Coordinated National Assemblies (CNA), an informal yet powerful collective of ticket controllers, has announced its participation in the strike for the long weekend beginning May 8, a public holiday in France.

Despite the mounting pressure, SNCF insists it is prepared. “If we need to cancel some trains, we aim to offer each customer the opportunity to travel on the planned day to their destination,” said Fanichet. To accommodate changes and cancellations, the company has made all tickets for TGV Inoui and Ouigo services between May 5 and 11 fully exchangeable and refundable without fees.

In a bid to reduce uncertainty, SNCF will individually notify each TGV passenger via email or SMS about the status of their train—whether it is running or canceled. Fanichet promised that passengers would be informed before their journeys begin, especially those planning trips during the extended weekend.

Still, the rail company warned that some disruptions should be expected, particularly on regional TER lines and within the Île-de-France region, where Paris commuter traffic could face challenges. Information about those services will be released at 5 p.m. the day prior, in line with standard SNCF procedures.

Union representatives remain firm in their stance, arguing that workers face increasingly unstable conditions. “Schedules are changed far too frequently at the last moment, making it hard for staff to plan their personal lives,” said a spokesperson for SUD-Rail.

Meanwhile, competitors in the transport sector are reportedly benefiting from the unrest. Alternate train services and long-distance bus companies have seen a surge in bookings, a trend observed during previous strike actions.

The upcoming strikes are part of a broader wave of labor disputes in France, as inflation and economic uncertainty continue to strain worker-employer relations across sectors.

While SNCF seeks to avoid chaos on the tracks, the coming week will test both its logistical resilience and its passengers’ patience. For now, travelers are advised to check updates regularly and prepare for last-minute changes.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members