Overview

• Two 'trains of anger' from Clermont-Ferrand and Cahors brought hundreds of protesters to Paris to demand immediate action on deteriorating rail services.
• Protesters criticize 40 years of neglect on the Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse (POLT) and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand lines, citing frequent delays, cancellations, and aging infrastructure.
• SNCF's ongoing modernization plan, launched in 2018 with a €3 billion budget, aims for completion by 2027 but is widely deemed insufficient by critics.
• Key issues include outdated 'Corail' carriages and electrical systems, with some travel times increasing by over 30 minutes in recent years.
• Protesters argue that deteriorating rail services harm regional economies and connectivity, urging the government to accelerate and expand investments.