🚖 My taxi adventure: between Paris and Clermont, the misadventures of the Intercités 🚆

It is often said that traveling by train is an unforgettable experience, full of breathtaking landscapes and unexpected encounters. However, for some users, this promise quickly turns into a taxi journey due to endless delays and mysterious breakdowns. From Paris to Clermont-Ferrand, to name just one example, some passengers find themselves forced to shell out considerable amounts to reach their destination on time. But what lies behind these railway misadventures? From aging equipment to unforeseen events, let’s explore together the reasons for the inconveniences faced by so many Intercity passengers.

“My taxi journey”: Paris-Clermont, Paris-Briançon… The reasons behind the misadventures with the Intercity trains #

Traveling by train is supposed to be a pleasant and practical experience, especially with the Intercity connections linking iconic cities like Paris, Clermont, and Briançon. Yet, many passengers often find themselves experiencing misadventures that force them to pack up and take a taxi. This article immerses you in the world of train journeys, exploring the mishaps that lead to these taxi rides and what they reveal about the state of rail transport in France.

Chronic delays: the enemy of the Intercity trains #

Delays have now become an integral part of the Intercity experience. Whether it’s the journey from Paris to Clermont or from Paris to Briançon, passengers despairingly find that minutes can sometimes turn into hours of waiting. These delays are often caused by technical incidents, breakdowns, or conflicts in traffic on shared tracks. The jolts of the rails, the vibrations of the carriage, all of this sometimes comes to a sudden halt, leaving travelers stranded on the platform, dreaming of a taxi to complete their journey.

Old coaches causing inconveniences #

Intercity trains are often older models, old coaches, which, despite renovation efforts, struggle to meet the expectations of a clientele seeking modern comfort. This situation was illustrated by the testimony of a regular on the Paris-Clermont line who remembers the gradual degradation of travel conditions. “If I had stayed on the train, I would have arrived in Clermont in the middle of the afternoon,” he recalls, a statement that perfectly summarizes the disappointment shared by many users. Unfortunately, it seems that their replacement is not expected before 2027, adding a layer of uncertainty for the years to come.

Taxi rides: an expensive but necessary solution #

Faced with unacceptable delays, some travelers are no longer hesitant to turn to a taxi to complete their journey. This can quickly become an expensive choice, as demonstrated by a passenger who had to share a 250 km taxi ride to honor a business appointment, thus sharing the costs of 750 €. At a time when people are looking for savings on all fronts, the train, which is supposed to make life easier for passengers, sometimes seems to be a source of unexpected expenses.

Frustrated travelers: a feeling of abandonment #

The various failures in service provide fertile ground for user frustration. Terms like “cursed line” or “shame of the country” are often used by those who have endured repeated delays. Testimonials pour in, from the president of Michelin describing the situation as “third-world in terms of rail transport” to users denouncing the ineptitude of a system that seems to evolve not at all despite promises of modernization. If the image of the train as an ecological and practical means of transport is gradually tarnished, the anxiety of not arriving on time is now shared by all.

In search of solutions #

The question now is that of the reliability of rail transport and the measures to be taken to improve the situation. Urgent returns on investment are expected in equipment and infrastructure. But with a service that depends on multiple factors, including coordination among different types of trains and natural hazards, it seems that the Intercity network is a true puzzle to solve.

Reinventing train journeys? #

With the promise of new trains starting in 2027, a glimmer of hope shines at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, Intercity users will have to arm themselves with patience and, for some, well-filled wallets to cope with the inevitability of taxis. It is time to hope for a revolution in French rail transport, so that journeys no longer turn into taxi adventures. For many, a simple train trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. When will there be relief for passengers on Intercity lines?