Passengers Experience Nightmare Journey on TGV from Hendaye to Paris
Passengers aboard a TGV train traveling from Hendaye to Paris faced a harrowing experience on Friday night, as they were stranded for nearly nine hours due to a significant breakdown. The train departed Hendaye at 6 p.m. but encountered an electrical power supply issue shortly after leaving, caused by a torn overhead line in Morcenx-la-Nouvelle. This incident led to a domino effect, affecting multiple trains in the region, as confirmed by SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français).
The TGV train was halted for hours, with passengers expressing frustration over the lack of communication from the railway company. One traveler described the ordeal as "a night in hell," highlighting the uncertainty and discomfort experienced during the wait. SNCF dispatched agents to address the situation, and the train finally resumed its journey at around 1:30 a.m., arriving in Bordeaux at approximately 3:30 a.m. Passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and were able to continue their journey to Paris the following morning, arriving at Montparnasse station around 9 a.m. The company has offered an exceptional compensation of 150% of the ticket price to affected travelers.
Another Train Incident: Ouigo Passengers Stuck for Hours
In a separate incident, passengers on an Ouigo train from Paris to Marseille faced their own challenges on the same day. The train, which was scheduled to depart at 6:03 a.m., experienced a series of breakdowns, leading to a six-hour delay. Passengers were informed of a switch failure shortly after departure, followed by issues with the brakes. After several stops and a lack of adequate communication, the train was ultimately redirected back to Paris, causing significant inconvenience for travelers, including tourists who missed connections to other destinations.
Upon arrival in Paris, passengers were provided with food and were able to board another train to Marseille. SNCF has stated that affected passengers would receive a full refund along with an additional 100% compensation in the form of a voucher due to the exceptional circumstances of the delay.
SNCF's Response to Recent Train Disruptions
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by SNCF, particularly during adverse weather conditions and technical failures. The company has acknowledged the issues, attributing the TGV breakdown to a power supply incident caused by infrastructure damage. In the case of the Ouigo train, SNCF cited weather-related complications affecting the pantograph system as the cause of the delays.
As travelers express their dissatisfaction with the handling of these situations, SNCF continues to work on improving communication and service reliability. The railway company aims to restore normal operations while ensuring that passengers are adequately compensated for their inconveniences.
