Train Services Disrupted on Transilien Lines L and U, No Service Until Friday Morning
Train traffic has been completely halted on Transilien lines L and U following a major electrical failure in the La Défense business district on Thursday, February 20. SNCF, the French national railway company, announced the disruption in a series of social media updates.
As a result of the power outage, no trains are currently running between Paris Saint-Lazare and Val d’Or, nor between Suresnes Mont Valérien and La Défense, in both directions. The T13 tramway has also been suspended.
The disruption was caused by damage to a catenary, a type of overhead electrical cable used to power trains. SNCF engineers are currently working to repair the damage and restore power to the affected lines.
SNCF has confirmed that both lines will remain closed for the remainder of Thursday evening. "Maintenance operations are ongoing, and the installations are expected to be brought back into compliance during the night," the Line L X account stated. As a result, no trains will be running until Friday morning.
However, on Line L, "trains on the Versailles-Rive-Droite axis can run up to Saint-Cloud." Additionally, "trains on the Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche axis can run up to Val d’Or," according to SNCF.
Passengers are advised to seek alternative modes of transportation or consider postponing their travel plans. SNCF will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
Causes of the Disruption
The electrical failure that caused the train disruptions is still under investigation. However, SNCF has confirmed that it was not related to the ongoing strike by railway workers, which has caused significant disruptions to train services across France in recent weeks.
According to preliminary reports, the failure may have been caused by a power surge or a short circuit in the La Défense area. Engineers are working to determine the exact cause and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Impact on Passengers
The train disruption is causing significant inconvenience for commuters who rely on lines L and U for their daily travel. Many passengers have reported long delays and overcrowding on alternative modes of transportation, such as buses and the Paris Métro.
SNCF has apologized for the disruption and has advised passengers to allow extra time for their commutes. The company is also providing information on alternative transportation options through its website and social media platforms.
Timeline for Restoration of Service
SNCF expects to restore service on lines L and U by Friday morning. However, the company has cautioned that the timeline could be subject to change depending on the progress of the repairs.
Passengers are urged to check the SNCF website or social media accounts for the latest updates on the situation.
