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SNCF Cancels Intercités Trains at Peak Heat to Prevent Air-Con Breakdowns

Preventive cancellations on midday services come with fee-free refunds after Météo France heat alerts, highlighting criticism of ageing Corail stock as Oxygène replacements remain years away.

Overview

  • SNCF has suspended around 10 to 20 Intercités trains at midday on key routes such as ParisClermont-Ferrand, BordeauxMarseille and ParisLimogesToulouse from August 12 to 15.
  • Affected passengers are being notified in advance and can choose fee-free exchanges or full refunds with neighbouring services reinforced to absorb rerouted travellers.
  • Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot described the cancellations as ‘realistic and precautionary,’ noting they represent a tiny fraction of the roughly 15,000 trains operating nationwide each day.
  • The ageing Corail fleet, introduced between 1975 and 1989, relies on HVAC systems that SNCF warns are prone to failure under temperatures exceeding 40 °C.
  • Unions and user associations have seized on the episode to denounce decades of underinvestment and warn that Oxygène train deliveries will not begin until 2027.