Paris (AFP)

More than three quarters of French people consider "necessary" the presence of a controller in each TER, according to an Elabe survey carried out after an accident of one of these trains that could have turned to drama without the coolness of the driver, only agent SNCF on board.

According to the survey conducted for BFMTV, 78% of respondents say that "it is necessary to ensure the presence of at least one controller in each TER, even if it is equipped with a device + only agent equipment +". Only 21% believe that "it is not necessary to have a controller in the TER" equipped with this device, and 1% are without opinion.

However, the French are divided on the work stoppage of SNCF agents who followed this accident: 52% say they were right to do so, and 47% they are wrong.

The regular and occasional users of TER, Intercités and Car TER SNCF are the most numerous to estimate that the SNCF agents were right to stop working (57%) whereas the people who never use these means of transport estimate a slight majority that they were wrong (52%).

Moreover, 66% of French people consider that social mobilizations will increase in the coming weeks, 28% that they will "remain the same", and 5% that they will be reduced.

More than half (53%) of French people say they trust unions to defend employees, and 46% do not trust them. They are about the same (55%) to consider that union action is not effective, and 44% that it is effective.

Finally, 51% of French people believe that the unions of employees are "rather a blocking element of society", while 48% say they are "rather an element of dialogue".

SNCF traffic was disrupted in recent days after this accident, which resulted in work stoppages based on the right to withdraw drivers and controllers.

This TER had struck on October 16 in the Ardennes an exceptional road convoy stuck on a level crossing, making 11 wounded. The train driver had rescued passengers while he was being hit.

Study carried out by internet on October 22nd and 23rd with 1,002 people aged 18 and over, according to the quota method.

© 2019 AFP