Strike at the RATP and the SNCF: tram, carpooling, cycling… our advice for getting around

The mobilization against the pension reform promises to be very strong.

The RATP and SNCF networks will operate at least this Thursday.

Three metro lines will be closed all day (8, 10 and 11).

The others will only operate at peak times, on restricted sections, with many stations closed.

Only the automatic lines (1 and 14) will run at 100%, with a risk of saturation.

RER A and B will be very disrupted (one in two trains at peak times) with an end of service at 9 p.m. on the A and at 9:50 p.m. on the B.

Read alsoRATP and SNCF on strike: metro, RER, bus… traffic forecasts for this Thursday, January 19, line by line

As for the SNCF Transilien lines serving the outer suburbs, only 10% of the trains will run.

The service will stop in the early evening.

Going back and forth between the suburbs and Paris will be an obstacle course.

This is why the SNCF and the RATP recommend that Ile-de-France residents favor teleworking and postpone their trips.

But in case of force majeure, what to do?

Here are some solutions to avoid too long hours of “hassle”.

Preferred buses and trams

Trams and buses should be a little less disrupted than other networks.

Two crossings out of three are planned on the bus lines and three trams out of four on the perimeter of the RATP.

On the SNCF side (T4, T11 and T13), four out of five trams are announced.

Noctilien night buses are operating at 100%.

They run from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Roissybus and Orlybus normally serve Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports.

On the roads… longer journey times to be expected

For long distances, the individual car is one of the only solutions to circulate this Thursday.

But beware of the risk of traffic jams.

During the RATP strike for salary increases on November 10 (eve of the bridge), a peak of nearly 600 km of traffic jams was recorded in Île-de-France!

The context is different this Thursday.

However, it is advisable to plan for greatly extended travel times, especially if you pass through the gates of Paris.

Taxis and VTC: remember to book

Taxis and VTC will undoubtedly be in high demand.

Pay attention to the prices applied: if taxis have regulated prices, VTC platforms can cause the bill to skyrocket in the event of high demand.

To be sure that a driver arrives, VTCs now offer paid reservation systems.

Booking a taxi of course includes a supplement.

Carpooling offered by Île-de-France Mobilités

Île-de-France Mobilités, the authority in charge of transport, recalls that carpooling is offered to all Ile-de-France residents on three platforms: Karos, Klaxit and Blablacar Daily.

All you have to do is register via the IDF Mobilités app or the website.

Depending on the distance traveled, the driver can pocket up to 4.50 euros per trip.

Karos goes further by doubling the first payment of the new government bonus (100 euros in all).

Instead of paying 25 euros, Karos offers 50 euros.

Electric bicycles and scooters

The Vélib' network has 19,500 bicycles (one third of which are electrically assisted) in 60 municipalities in Greater Paris.

Provided you find one.

Consult the map in the Vélib' app to locate stations with roadworthy bicycles.

Although self-service scooters are on hold (Paris City Hall is holding a vote on April 2 to decide their future), the 15,000 scooters operated by Lime, Dott and TIER will serve well.

These companies also operate 12,500 electrically assisted bicycles.

The purchase of daily or round-trip "passes" can significantly reduce the bill.

A few territories in the inner and outer suburbs are now served by TIER or Dott, which has just deployed 150 electric bikes in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis).

Read alsoCar sharing in Greater Paris: rental services are diversifying and moving upmarket

Self-service cars and scooters

In the capital and in the western suburbs, the companies ShareNow (merged with Free2Move), Zity or Clem (utilities) rent four-seater electric vehicles, which can be parked for free.

Count between 15 and 20 euros per hour of use or around sixty euros per day.

Ubeeqo, Communauto (accessible with a simple Navigo pass) or Getaround provide thermal cars that must be returned to their starting point.

To register, you must first scan your driving license and wait for the validation of your profile.

On the scooter side, the several thousand machines operated by Cityscoot operators (present in about fifteen towns in the inner suburbs), Yego, Cooltra and Troopy accept a passenger in the back and provide helmets.

Wearing gloves (not provided) is mandatory.

Prior registration is required by scanning your identity documents.

Walking, a safe bet

It will be between 1° and 5°C this Thursday but the chance of precipitation is moderate.

The walk does not take much longer than waiting in vain for a bus.

Allow thirty minutes to go from Gare du Nord to Châtelet or thirty-five minutes from Montparnasse to Châtelet.

Provided you bring good shoes, warm socks… and an umbrella in case of bad weather.