© Getty Images
Some Intercity Trains in Provence, Bordeaux & Cote d'Azur Facing Cuts
French Intercity network is currently 400 million euros in debt
In a report released last week, MP Phillippe Duron has called for the closure of 5 intercity train routes, citing that the lines are in bad condition and no longer viable to maintain.
The network, which is currently €400 million in debt has seen travel times increase, a poor and deteriorating service and a business model which "is no longer viable" says Duron.
His report has outraged other politicians and heads of business as it's feared that reducing the number of trains would have a significant impact on the towns they pass through and their economy.
His report is calling for the closure of the following lines:
- Nice-Marseille
- Bordeaux-Toulouse
- Saint Quentin-Cambrai
- Toulouse-Cerbère
- Quimper-Nantes
and potentially the night services from Paris to Savoie, Paris to Hendaye and the North east to the Mediterranean.
The report was presented to the Minister of Transport, Thierry Mariani, who no doubt is now under a lot of pressure to make a decision.