The "train of primeurs" Perpignan-Rungis suspended because of "due to social movements"

Europe 1 with AFP 17:23 p.m., April 24, 2023

The "train of primeurs", which connects Perpignan to the market of Rungis in the Val-de-Marne near Paris, is suspended since the beginning of the strike movements against the pension reform, said Monday Fret SNCF. Since the beginning of these social movements, the subsidiary of the SNCF is unable to guarantee punctuality and regularity to this train that goes back to the Ile-de-France fruits and vegetables especially from Spain and Morocco, regretted a spokesman, without specifying the exact date.

A surprising suspension of the line

The first mobilization against the pension reform, the essence of which was validated by the Constitutional Council on 14 April, took place on 19 January. "It is with amazement that we learned of the suspension of the now famous train of primeurs," responded Monday the CGT Cheminots in a statement.

Press release of the CGT railway workers of Perpignan on the suspension of the train of primeurs pic.twitter.com/DM2Z0UmGgH

— CGT CHEMINOTS MONTPELLIER (@CheminotsCgt) April 23, 2023

"The massive strike underway, with regard to the pension reform, cannot be used as a pretext for the suspension of this circulation, so the CGT Federation of Railway Workers is determined to engage in new battles for the safeguarding of Perpignan-Rungis," the union added. The CGT Cheminots said it regretted "the choice of the road which is made to the detriment of the railway" and reiterated its "ambition to double the modal share of rail freight traffic by 2030".

Unlike their colleagues on passenger trains, freight train drivers are not required to give 48 hours' notice if they intend to strike, making planning more complicated. In addition, there are uncertainties related to signal boxes, which can also stop work.

A route relaunched in October 2021

The train usually makes five trips a week during the primeur season, leaving in the afternoon from Perpignan and arriving before dawn in Rungis, with refrigerated wagons. This route was relaunched by the government in October 2021, after being suspended for more than two years due to a lack of customers. The obsolescence of the equipment, widely questioned, had then raised concerns about the durability of the link.

All Perpignan-Rungis trains, consisting of 12 wagons in which pallets of fruit and vegetables are loaded directly, have been rented by the loader Primever until the end of the agreement, at the end of 2024. To replace the train, the Agen-based company decided to go by road. "We are waiting to be able to leave. The train is not stopped, just suspended, "summarized a spokesman for Fret SNCF. AFP had failed to contact Primever on Monday.