The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour.

The RATP operator's chief executive Jean Castex, a former French prime minister, has asked for an internal investigation to determine the causes of the "exceptional incident", it said.

It said that five trains on the busy line 4 were stuck from 1725 GMT and had to wait underground between stations. 
 
Social media users shared footage of passengers crammed inside the carriages and expressing concern about the wellbeing of babies and the elderly on board.

All the passengers were eventually evacuated, the RATP said, with social media users showing images of them walking through tunnels to the next station.

"The RATP presents its apologies and its deepest regrets for this incident and its consequences for passengers. It is doing everything possible to support them as best it can," the operator said.

Castex "has requested an internal investigation to determine the exact causes of this rare incident," it added.

The Paris Metro is one of the oldest urban transit systems in the world, featuring in numerous iconic films.

But users increasingly complain that overcapacity and outdated infrastructure make commuting a daily trauma, also raising concerns over whether the system will be able to cope with the influx of visitors for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Modernisation efforts are in progress and line 4 is being gradually automated to a system without drivers.

President Emmanuel Macron last year chose Castex, who was premier during much of the Covid-19 pandemic and has a reputation of a troubleshooter, as the chief of the RATP with the aim of fixing its problems. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour.

The operator of the Paris Metro system on Wednesday apologised after hundreds of passengers on different trains were blocked underground in stifling temperatures at the height of the rush hour. The RATP operator's chief executive Jean Castex, a former French prime minister, has asked for an internal investigation to determine the causes of the "exceptional incident", it said. It said that five trains on the busy line 4 were stuck from 1725 GMT and had to wait underground between stations. Social media users shared footage of passengers crammed inside the carriages and expressing concern about the wellbeing of babies and the elderly on board. All the passengers were eventually evacuated, the RATP said, with social media users showing images of them walking through tunnels to the next station. "The RATP presents its apologies and its deepest regrets for this incident and its consequences for passengers. It is doing everything possible to support them as best it can," the operator said. Castex "has requested an internal investigation to determine the exact causes of this rare incident," it added. The Paris Metro is one of the oldest urban transit systems in the world, featuring in numerous iconic films. But users increasingly complain that overcapacity and outdated infrastructure make commuting a daily trauma, also raising concerns over whether the system will be able to cope with the influx of visitors for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Modernisation efforts are in progress and line 4 is being gradually automated to a system without drivers. President Emmanuel Macron last year chose Castex, who was premier during much of the Covid-19 pandemic and has a reputation of a troubleshooter, as the chief of the RATP with the aim of fixing its problems. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Paris Metro passengers blocked underground amid stifling heat in rush hour as glitches halt 5 trains

Phasing out of cardboard tickets is marking an end of an era for Paris Metro travellers as the simple form of ticket may soon be a thing of the past after being in circulation for 120 years. Paris Metro is taking steps towards a contactless future. Though shift to more efficient technology might improve the service, the tickets, which have been part of Parisian life will evoke nostalgia.

Beyond their intended use as a transport token, the tickets with their trademark magnetic strip have inspired artists, filmmakers and singers, served as emergency notepads and, most of all, bookmarks.&nbsp;

"As the metro ticket disappears, so does a part of our lives," said Gregoire Thonnat, a collector and author of a book on the history of the metro ticket. "The metro ticket is part of how we picture Paris." &nbsp;

Ile-de-France Mobilites, which operates the metro's ticketing system, wanted the pack of 10 tickets, known as 'carnets' gone by the first quarter of the year, the effects of pandemic, Ukraine war and global microchips shortage put a spanner in the plans.

The number of cardboard tickets sold still totals 550 million per year. This requires more than 50 tonnes of paper.

"We were in a hurry, but the chip crisis slowed us down," Laurent Probst, director-general at Ile-de-France Mobilites told AFP.&nbsp;

The operator has started cutting the number of metro stations that still sell carnets to nudge clients towards plastic cards, and many turnstiles can no longer read cardboard tickets.&nbsp;

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Phasing out of cardboard tickets is marking an end of an era for Paris Metro travellers as the simple form of ticket may soon be a thing of the past after being in circulation for 120 years.

Phasing out of cardboard tickets is marking an end of an era for Paris Metro travellers as the simple form of ticket may soon be a thing of the past after being in circulation for 120 years. Paris Metro is taking steps towards a contactless future. Though shift to more efficient technology might improve the service, the tickets, which have been part of Parisian life will evoke nostalgia. Beyond their intended use as a transport token, the tickets with their trademark magnetic strip have inspired artists, filmmakers and singers, served as emergency notepads and, most of all, bookmarks. "As the metro ticket disappears, so does a part of our lives," said Gregoire Thonnat, a collector and author of a book on the history of the metro ticket. "The metro ticket is part of how we picture Paris."  Ile-de-France Mobilites, which operates the metro's ticketing system, wanted the pack of 10 tickets, known as 'carnets' gone by the first quarter of the year, the effects of pandemic, Ukraine war and global microchips shortage put a spanner in the plans. The number of cardboard tickets sold still totals 550 million per year. This requires more than 50 tonnes of paper. "We were in a hurry, but the chip crisis slowed us down," Laurent Probst, director-general at Ile-de-France Mobilites told AFP. The operator has started cutting the number of metro stations that still sell carnets to nudge clients towards plastic cards, and many turnstiles can no longer read cardboard tickets. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Paris Metro to bid goodbye to cardboard tickets after 120 years

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/determined-to-take-pension-reform-to-completion-will-address-peoples-concerns-french-pm-266964">Edouard Philippe</a> defied striking workers on Wednesday with plans for a long-anticipated overhaul of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-emmanuel-macron-to-hold-meeting-on-pensions-as-strike-bites-266909">France's byzantine pension system</a> that he said would be fairer and encourage people to work longer.

France would replace a convoluted system of more than 42 separate state-funded plans with a universal, points-based system that will apply to those entering the job market for the first time in 2022, Philippe said in a speech that followed days of protests and strikes.

He did though show some flexibility to unions over the timing of the implementation of the plan, saying anyone within 17 years of retirement would be exempt.

"The time has come to build a universal pension system," Philippe said in a much-anticipated speech. "There is no hidden agenda. "We want to protect the purchasing power of the workers and pensioners of today and tomorrow."

The legal retirement age would remain at 62, the prime minister said, but workers would be incentivised to work longer through a system of bonuses and discounts.

There would be a minimum pension of 1,000 euros&nbsp;per month for those who worked a full career.

Reform of France's pension system, which offers some of the most generous benefits in the industrialised world, has proven a treacherous task for past and present governments.

A strike by public sector workers over the past week has crippled France's transport network, closed schools and forced the cancellation of some flights.

The strongest opposition to the planned reform has come from workers with 'special benefit' plans, including rail employees, dockers and Paris Opera singers who are entitled to retire on a full pension years before the average retirement age of 62.

Philippe said a universal, points-based system would be fairer, giving every pensioner the same rights for each euro contributed, and enable workers to move more freely from one job to another in the modern-day labour market.

"We know our children won't have the same linear careers we had and we need a pension system that allows that. We need to have faith in a system that is not deemed to favour one person over another."

Philippe said that under the new system, every hour worked will earn pension rights, which will benefit gig economy workers such as bicycle courriers and office cleaners, who often do not earn enough to lock in pension rights under the current system.

With the strike over the reform in its second week, there were signs of mounting irritation among morning commuters as they grappled with a skeleton train and metro service in the capital, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/paris-opera-ballet-dancers-hang-up-shoes-in-pension-reform-protest-267326">Paris</a>.

"I've had it today," said one frustrated traveler as he battled his way through a crowded platform.

Before the prime minister's speech, hard-left unions showed no sign of backing down in a battle of political will that could make or break Macron's presidency. The CGT union has called for further protests on December&nbsp;12 and December&nbsp;17.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe defied striking workers on Wednesday with plans for a long-anticipated overhaul of France's byzantine pension system that he said would be fairer and encourage people to work longer.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe defied striking workers on Wednesday with plans for a long-anticipated overhaul of France's byzantine pension system that he said would be fairer and encourage people to work longer. France would replace a convoluted system of more than 42 separate state-funded plans with a universal, points-based system that will apply to those entering the job market for the first time in 2022, Philippe said in a speech that followed days of protests and strikes. He did though show some flexibility to unions over the timing of the implementation of the plan, saying anyone within 17 years of retirement would be exempt. "The time has come to build a universal pension system," Philippe said in a much-anticipated speech. "There is no hidden agenda. "We want to protect the purchasing power of the workers and pensioners of today and tomorrow." The legal retirement age would remain at 62, the prime minister said, but workers would be incentivised to work longer through a system of bonuses and discounts. There would be a minimum pension of 1,000 euros per month for those who worked a full career. Reform of France's pension system, which offers some of the most generous benefits in the industrialised world, has proven a treacherous task for past and present governments. A strike by public sector workers over the past week has crippled France's transport network, closed schools and forced the cancellation of some flights. The strongest opposition to the planned reform has come from workers with 'special benefit' plans, including rail employees, dockers and Paris Opera singers who are entitled to retire on a full pension years before the average retirement age of 62. Philippe said a universal, points-based system would be fairer, giving every pensioner the same rights for each euro contributed, and enable workers to move more freely from one job to another in the modern-day labour market. "We know our children won't have the same linear careers we had and we need a pension system that allows that. We need to have faith in a system that is not deemed to favour one person over another." Philippe said that under the new system, every hour worked will earn pension rights, which will benefit gig economy workers such as bicycle courriers and office cleaners, who often do not earn enough to lock in pension rights under the current system. With the strike over the reform in its second week, there were signs of mounting irritation among morning commuters as they grappled with a skeleton train and metro service in the capital, Paris. "I've had it today," said one frustrated traveler as he battled his way through a crowded platform. Before the prime minister's speech, hard-left unions showed no sign of backing down in a battle of political will that could make or break Macron's presidency. The CGT union has called for further protests on December 12 and December 17.

France's prime minister defies unions with pension overhaul

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-macrons-criticism-of-nato-very-very-nasty-before-summit-266035">President Emmanuel Macron</a> and unions.

Some 90 per cent of high-speed trains have been axed, most of the Paris metro will be shut, hundreds of flights cancelled and the majority of schools closed in Thursday's strike over Macron's planned pension reforms.

The strike, which is open-ended and could last several days, has drawn comparisons between the struggle between government and unions in November-December 1995 when the country was paralysed for some three weeks.

Workers across France will have to work from home or find novel ways to access their offices using car-sharing services, rental bikes or e-scooters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-metro-faces-severe-disruptions-from-december-5-strike-265089">The strikes</a> will be a major test of whether Macron, who came to power on the back of a promise to transform France and has also sought a prominent place on the international stage, has the political strength to push through his vision.

The president is regarded to have seen off the threat posed by the "yellow vest" protesters whose weekly demonstrations against the lack of equality shook France since November last year.

But their anger could feed into the strike movement called by the unions and a transport strike on September 13 that caused gridlock in Paris might prove a harbinger of things to come.

"It will be a Black Thursday in transport," prophesied the Le Parisien daily.

But the Le Monde daily argued that channelling the anger of "yellow vests" movement represented both an opportunity but also a risk for the unions, who could lose control of the movement.

"The unions have embarked on an adventure that has little chance of achieving its aim by forcing Emmanuel Macron to give up the reform," it said in an analysis, arguing that "2019 is not 1995".

On the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-metro-faces-severe-disruptions-from-december-5-strike-265089">Paris metro</a>, 11 of the city's 16 lines will shut down completely Thursday, with only the two fully automated lines running as normal.

Rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains, as well as regional trains across the country, would be cancelled, while international services like the Eurostar and Thalys would be severely disrupted.

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said he expected 55 per cent of teaching staff to strike nationwide Thursday, with 78 per cent walking out in Paris, and just 30 per cent of schools being able to open.

With some air traffic controllers also walking out, flag-carrier Air France said it was axing 30 per cent of its internal flights and 15 per cent of short-haul international routes.

British low-cost carrier EasyJet has cancelled 223 domestic and short-haul international flights and warned others risk being delayed.

Macron wants to implement a signature campaign promise that would see a "universal" retirement system.

It would do away with 42 "special regimes" for sectors ranging from rail and energy workers to lawyers and Paris Opera employees, which often grant workers higher pensions or early retirement.

But unions say the changes would effectively require millions of private-sector workers to work beyond the legal retirement age of 62 if they want to receive the full pension they have been promised.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has acknowledged French workers will gradually work longer, is set to unveil details of the reform on December 12.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Wednesday that 245 demonstrations were expected nationwide, warning that a radical fringe of demonstrators could cause trouble.

"We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately," he said.

Two major demonstrations are planned for Paris that will converge on the Place de la Nation, with officials ordering Paris businesses along the routes to close on Thursday.

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between President Emmanuel Macron and unions.

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between President Emmanuel Macron and unions. Some 90 per cent of high-speed trains have been axed, most of the Paris metro will be shut, hundreds of flights cancelled and the majority of schools closed in Thursday's strike over Macron's planned pension reforms. The strike, which is open-ended and could last several days, has drawn comparisons between the struggle between government and unions in November-December 1995 when the country was paralysed for some three weeks. Workers across France will have to work from home or find novel ways to access their offices using car-sharing services, rental bikes or e-scooters. The strikes will be a major test of whether Macron, who came to power on the back of a promise to transform France and has also sought a prominent place on the international stage, has the political strength to push through his vision. The president is regarded to have seen off the threat posed by the "yellow vest" protesters whose weekly demonstrations against the lack of equality shook France since November last year. But their anger could feed into the strike movement called by the unions and a transport strike on September 13 that caused gridlock in Paris might prove a harbinger of things to come. "It will be a Black Thursday in transport," prophesied the Le Parisien daily. But the Le Monde daily argued that channelling the anger of "yellow vests" movement represented both an opportunity but also a risk for the unions, who could lose control of the movement. "The unions have embarked on an adventure that has little chance of achieving its aim by forcing Emmanuel Macron to give up the reform," it said in an analysis, arguing that "2019 is not 1995". On the Paris metro, 11 of the city's 16 lines will shut down completely Thursday, with only the two fully automated lines running as normal. Rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains, as well as regional trains across the country, would be cancelled, while international services like the Eurostar and Thalys would be severely disrupted. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said he expected 55 per cent of teaching staff to strike nationwide Thursday, with 78 per cent walking out in Paris, and just 30 per cent of schools being able to open. With some air traffic controllers also walking out, flag-carrier Air France said it was axing 30 per cent of its internal flights and 15 per cent of short-haul international routes. British low-cost carrier EasyJet has cancelled 223 domestic and short-haul international flights and warned others risk being delayed. Macron wants to implement a signature campaign promise that would see a "universal" retirement system. It would do away with 42 "special regimes" for sectors ranging from rail and energy workers to lawyers and Paris Opera employees, which often grant workers higher pensions or early retirement. But unions say the changes would effectively require millions of private-sector workers to work beyond the legal retirement age of 62 if they want to receive the full pension they have been promised. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has acknowledged French workers will gradually work longer, is set to unveil details of the reform on December 12. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Wednesday that 245 demonstrations were expected nationwide, warning that a radical fringe of demonstrators could cause trouble. "We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately," he said. Two major demonstrations are planned for Paris that will converge on the Place de la Nation, with officials ordering Paris businesses along the routes to close on Thursday.

France braces for shutdown as Macron clashes with unions

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-police-fire-tear-gas-on-yellow-vest-protests-anniversary-262597">Paris</a> public transport operator warned Thursday of "severely disrupted traffic" on metro and bus lines during a strike on December 5 against the government's pension reforms.

Officials are bracing for major protests that could snarl rail and metro traffic across the country, raising the spectre of a second French winter of discontent a year after the start of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yellow-vest-protesters-back-on-streets-of-paris-262729">"yellow vest"</a> protest movement.

Unions have called a new indefinite strike against an overhaul of the pensions system that they say will require people to work longer or accept a lower pension.

The national rail operator SNCF has taken the unusual step of halting all ticket sales for December 5-8 on expectations of sweeping train cancellations.

RATP, which operates the Paris metro, said it would team up with companies offering travel alternatives for commuters, such as carpooling groups and ride-hailing firms.

It will also provide "complementary mobility services" such as bicycles and the electric scooters which have inundated the French capital since last year.

Many schools in Paris have warned parents that classes might be cancelled next Thursday and Friday, and firms already expect many employees will be unable to make it in to work.

In September, the city already got a foretaste of the possible disruption in store when a one-day strike shut down most of the 16 lines on the metro.

Alongside the rail and metro workers, unions at Air France and the electricity group EDF have also announced plans to strike, as have lawyers who say the pension reforms will drain the financial reserves of their own separate pension scheme.

The government has vowed to do away with dozens of advantageous pension schemes enjoyed by workers in state transport and utility companies, as well as sailors, solicitors and Paris Opera workers.

Metro workers say the reforms would remove their long-held rights to early retirement, secured decades ago to compensate for spending long hours underground.

A recent report from France's state auditor, the Cour des Comptes, found that the average retirement age for public transport workers in Paris in 2017 was 55.7, compared with 63 years for most French workers.

The strike poses a stiff challenge to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-says-frances-macron-comments-on-nato-dangerous-261350">President Emmanuel Macron</a>'s reform agenda, feeding into a growing mood of discontent that has brought tens of thousands of hospital workers, students, firefighters, police, farmers and lawyers onto the streets in the past three months.

The Paris public transport operator warned Thursday of "severely disrupted traffic" on metro and bus lines during a strike on December 5 against the government's pension reforms.

The Paris public transport operator warned Thursday of "severely disrupted traffic" on metro and bus lines during a strike on December 5 against the government's pension reforms. Officials are bracing for major protests that could snarl rail and metro traffic across the country, raising the spectre of a second French winter of discontent a year after the start of the "yellow vest" protest movement. Unions have called a new indefinite strike against an overhaul of the pensions system that they say will require people to work longer or accept a lower pension. The national rail operator SNCF has taken the unusual step of halting all ticket sales for December 5-8 on expectations of sweeping train cancellations. RATP, which operates the Paris metro, said it would team up with companies offering travel alternatives for commuters, such as carpooling groups and ride-hailing firms. It will also provide "complementary mobility services" such as bicycles and the electric scooters which have inundated the French capital since last year. Many schools in Paris have warned parents that classes might be cancelled next Thursday and Friday, and firms already expect many employees will be unable to make it in to work. In September, the city already got a foretaste of the possible disruption in store when a one-day strike shut down most of the 16 lines on the metro. Alongside the rail and metro workers, unions at Air France and the electricity group EDF have also announced plans to strike, as have lawyers who say the pension reforms will drain the financial reserves of their own separate pension scheme. The government has vowed to do away with dozens of advantageous pension schemes enjoyed by workers in state transport and utility companies, as well as sailors, solicitors and Paris Opera workers. Metro workers say the reforms would remove their long-held rights to early retirement, secured decades ago to compensate for spending long hours underground. A recent report from France's state auditor, the Cour des Comptes, found that the average retirement age for public transport workers in Paris in 2017 was 55.7, compared with 63 years for most French workers. The strike poses a stiff challenge to President Emmanuel Macron's reform agenda, feeding into a growing mood of discontent that has brought tens of thousands of hospital workers, students, firefighters, police, farmers and lawyers onto the streets in the past three months.

Paris metro faces 'severe' disruptions from December 5 strike

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-yellow-vest-protesters-look-to-revive-movement-248327">suburban lines coming</a> to a virtual standstill.

"Ten of the city's 16 metro lines were shut down completely, while service on most others was extremely disrupted, Paris RATP transit operator told AFP.

French metro workers say &nbsp;President Emmanuel Macron's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-reviews-police-methods-after-yellow-vest-protests-228069">universal pension system</a> works against them as it takes away their right for early retirement which was agreed upon decades ago as a compensation for working long hours.

During his election campaign, Macron had pledged to relook the pension plans and had sought reforms. The plan seeks to merge forty-two different pension systems into a single-point based system.

The current plan ensures workers would now retire at age 62 with reduced pension with full pension available from 64.

Lawyers, airline pilots, stewards and medical workers have also decided to join the protest, calling for a separate strike on Monday.

As a result of the strike, people were left stranded with several looking for alternate avenues to move around the city. &nbsp;French officials said there were 235km of traffic jams with media reports of crammed platforms on metro lines.

The strikes come close on the heels of the "yellow vest" protests last month when anti-government protesters calling for social justice sought the ouster of President Emmanuel Macron.

Paris saw an upsurge of violence as thousands of protesters took to the streets to clash with police as authorities repeatedly used tear gas shells to quell the violence. The protests spread to other cities Marseille, Rouen, Lille, Strasbourg, Dijon, Bordeaux and Toulouse as police arrested several protesters amid large scale violence.

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main suburban lines coming to a virtual standstill.

Paris metro workers on Friday went off work over President's Macron's pension plan as thousands of commuters were left waiting on platforms with main suburban lines coming to a virtual standstill. "Ten of the city's 16 metro lines were shut down completely, while service on most others was extremely disrupted, Paris RATP transit operator told AFP. French metro workers say President Emmanuel Macron's universal pension system works against them as it takes away their right for early retirement which was agreed upon decades ago as a compensation for working long hours. During his election campaign, Macron had pledged to relook the pension plans and had sought reforms. The plan seeks to merge forty-two different pension systems into a single-point based system. The current plan ensures workers would now retire at age 62 with reduced pension with full pension available from 64. Lawyers, airline pilots, stewards and medical workers have also decided to join the protest, calling for a separate strike on Monday. As a result of the strike, people were left stranded with several looking for alternate avenues to move around the city. French officials said there were 235km of traffic jams with media reports of crammed platforms on metro lines. The strikes come close on the heels of the "yellow vest" protests last month when anti-government protesters calling for social justice sought the ouster of President Emmanuel Macron. Paris saw an upsurge of violence as thousands of protesters took to the streets to clash with police as authorities repeatedly used tear gas shells to quell the violence. The protests spread to other cities Marseille, Rouen, Lille, Strasbourg, Dijon, Bordeaux and Toulouse as police arrested several protesters amid large scale violence.

Paris faces traffic chaos as metro workers strike over Macron's pension reform

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