SNCF announces the start of major works and disruptions between Paris and Orléans until 2026, "crazy" for users

A preparatory phase of the work was first launched, resulting in the interruption of train traffic during time slots between 10:00 a.m. and 15:00 p.m., especially from mid-May, on this line which connects Paris to Toulouse via Orléans and Limoges (POLT line).

The worst of the disruption is then expected from August, with the start of the main phase of operations.

Rail traffic closures will then extend from 9:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, until January, before the work is finally completed by the end of March 2026 at the earliest.

The operation, which involves completely renovating 70 km of track (rails, ballast and sleepers) in Loiret, between Boisseaux and Les Aubrais, using a factory train, could not take place at night to preserve the circulation of freight trains, according to the SNCF, which describes it as "the biggest project of the year."

"Without this industrial organization, this work would last several years," she also justified during the presentation of the system in the fall.

"Galley"

Because for users, these first works mark the beginning of weeks of "hassle".

This total interruption of traffic "could have been avoided," believes Jean-Noël Boisseleau, vice-president of Urgence Ligne POLT, who points to a "very unsatisfactory" situation.

The group demanded that "traffic be allowed to pass on one track and leave the other free, which is what has been done for decades. But for the SNCF, financially, it costs less to block off time slots and use both tracks at the same time," he told AFP.

"It's crazy," says Olivier, a 42-year-old writer-director who "regularly" uses the train to get to Paris, who declined to give his name. "The work will have a terrible impact on me," he predicts, speaking to AFP.

A transport plan, including the deployment of coaches, was presented by the Centre-Val de Loire region and the SNCF, which also promised to increase the frequency of trains during peak hours, outside of periods of cuts.

"1.000 additional seats will be added in the two hours before and after the interruptions," insisted Hélène Marquet, regional director of SNCF Voyageurs, in the autumn, specifying that some trains will run with three carriages to increase their capacity, a new feature.

More than 90% of TER Rémi trains will run from Monday to Sunday, she also promised to the 125.000 weekly passengers on the regional Rémi lines, without however managing to reassure a large number of passengers.

"People are really upset," warns Aurore Bernard, who commutes every day to work in Paris.

For her, the reality will "not be as simple" as described by the SNCF, adding that "it is not normal that we continue to pay 100% of the subscription" with such inconveniences.

"Anger Train"

In the Centre-Val de Loire region, "we are extremely unhappy, but extremely mobilized to guarantee the continuity of service" and "manage the mess," said Philippe Fournié, regional vice-president for transport, who estimated the additional cost of these adaptations at three million euros for regional finances.

In recent years, elected officials and local authorities have often pointed out a degraded line and highlighted "essential" work undertaken since 2018.

Last week, hundreds of users and local elected officials from the Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand lines even traveled to the capital in two "anger trains" to demand more investment for these "devastated lines."

In Loiret, the project had already been postponed twice. Costing 133 million euros, it is entirely financed by SNCF Réseau.