SNCF Cancels Around 20 Intercités Due to Apprehensions Regarding Potential Air Conditioning Malfunctions within the Delicate Train Network
In an effort to modernize its railway system, France's national railway company, SNCF, has announced plans to gradually replace its aging Corail trains with a new generation called "Oxygène." These modern trains are expected to be more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and comfortable, featuring improved amenities for passengers. The replacement is scheduled to be completed around 2027.
The need for this update arises from the aging Corail fleet, which has been in service for several decades and is increasingly obsolete in terms of energy consumption, comfort, and accessibility. SNCF's commitments to decarbonizing rail transport and improving service quality for long-distance travelers have also played a significant role in this decision.
However, in the immediate future, the heatwave in southern France has caused some disruptions. Three round trips on the Paris-Limoges-Toulouse line are cancelled only on Friday, and three out of eight round trips between Bordeaux and Marseille are cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two out of eight round trips between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand are cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, with more cancellations expected on Thursday and Friday. These cancellations are due to fears of air conditioning issues onboard the Corail trains, which are up to 50 years old and not designed to ensure robustness in extreme weather conditions.
The Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, defended this "preventive" decision to cancel some train journeys on Tuesday morning. SNCF is temporarily reducing its transport offer on some Intercity lines due to the very high temperatures. Around twenty new train journeys are affected starting from August 12. All affected customers will receive free ticket exchange or refund.
François Delatraz, president of the Federation nationale des associations d'usagers des transports (FNAUT), criticizes the French State for the dilapidated state of the railway system due to lack of investment over the past 50 years. Fabrice Chambelland, Secretary General Adjoint of the CFDT Cheminots, sees the current situation as an illustration of the chronic lack of investment in rolling stock by the State.
For more detailed or recent information, consulting official SNCF press releases or transportation industry updates past mid-2025 would be recommended, since publicly accessible sources in this query do not provide specific details about SNCF's plans to replace Corail trains with the new Oxygène generation by 2027, nor the reasons why this replacement is needed.
The aging Corail trains, currently in service for several decades, are causing issues in terms of energy consumption, comfort, and accessibility, necessitating their replacement. SNCF's plans to introduce the Oxygène generation trains are expected to address these problems, as they are designed to be more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and passenger-friendly.
