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SNCF Halts POLT Trains for Three May Weekends for Signaling and Power Upgrades

The closures compress major works into short windows, reigniting anger from riders after months of weekday disruptions.

Overview

  • SNCF Réseau is suspending all traffic on the Paris–Orléans–LimogesToulouse line for three weekends in May, with SNCF Voyageurs running replacement buses.
  • The program installs a new computerized signal post in Vierzon and strengthens the line’s electrical supply to improve reliability and safety.
  • Crews are also replacing the overhead contact wire between Orléans and Paris during the first May shutdown, which is the cable that feeds power to trains.
  • Users’ group Urgence Ligne POLT, led by Jean-Claude Sandrier, says the operator is favoring works over riders and recalls a promise to keep one track open during upgrades.
  • These interruptions arrive as Île-de-France faces many planned closures on RER, metro and Transilien lines, compounding longer trips for travelers this long weekend after a near year-long POLT renovation wrapped in late March.