Elected officials, union representatives, leaders and even travellers, they are all invited for a great debate on the future of the train in the New Aquitaine region. Representatives of railway workers at the SNCF are organizing eight public meetings throughout the region. The first takes place in Dordogne, this Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the socio-cultural center of Trélissac. “The idea is to then compile all the remarks into a white paper”, explains Olivier Sorce, CGT representative at the CSE SNCF of the TER Nouvelle Aquitaine. He was the guest of France Bleu Périgord 6-9 this Wednesday. As a traveler, you can go there to express your needsyour remarks.
A meeting open to the public
It is also an opportunity for railway workers to share their diagnosis of the situation of the SNCF. “We hear the criticisms, on the delays, or the lack of ticket offices, public transport needs means”, emphasizes Olivier Sorce. It is no coincidence that the “Train Agoras” are taking place at the moment: by 2024, regional trains will be open to European competition. The representatives of the railway workers want to show that public trains represent the best solution. “Opening up to competition is a failure. In Germany, for example, tickets have increased by 40%”assures the CSE representative.
Railway workers also want to emphasize the importance of the train as ecological issue. Local elected officials from Dordogne will be present at the public meeting this Thursday. No elected representative of the Region, which manages the TER of the SNCF, on the other hand, will not make the trip for this meeting.