“We will not sacrifice our mountains just as we are returning to life!” As strikes on local trains are announced for the February holidays, the region’s president, Renaud Muselier, has expressed his dissatisfaction.
SNCF has announced a strike on the Alps line on Fridays and Saturdays during the February holidays, specifically on February 11/12, February 18/19, and February 25/26. This social movement is likely to significantly impact travel to ski resorts.
“After two blank seasons and two dark years, just as we are returning to life, the unions are playing politics in the midst of a presidential campaign and want to sacrifice our mountains,” Renaud Muselier denounced in a statement.
He also emphasized that transportation is “the first priority” for the region. With 1.2 billion euros dedicated to transportation in 2021, the region was notably able to negotiate with the government to prevent the permanent closure of some lines starting from 2022. More than half a million euros in renovations are planned by 2032 to upgrade them.
As a result, no lines or stations will be closed in the Southern region, and the main stations of Gap (05), Embrun (05), Mont-Dauphin (05), L’Argentière-La-Bessée (05), and Briançon (05) will be open 7 days a week.
Finally, the region’s president urges railway workers not to strike: “I refuse to let [the residents of our region] be deprived of going to ski resorts during the school holiday period, a symbol of returning to life for thousands of families. I ask the Railway Workers’ Unions to cancel their strike for the well-being of our residents and the attractiveness of our mountainous regions“.
