Landslide in Savoy: what solutions for travelers whose train has been cancelled?

A spectacular rockfall in the Maurienne valley (Savoie) after a heat wave followed by heavy rain caused the suspension of rail traffic and heavy vehicles on a major axis between France and northern Italy.

The circulation of trains on the Chambéry-Turin line was interrupted, as was that of the TER in the Maurienne valley, reported the SNCF.

And it should last. Questioned by BFM Business, the SNCF indicates that “until further notice from the prefect, the circulation of trains between France and Italy is interrupted until Wednesday, August 30 at the latest.”

Access prohibited even for the SNCF

In addition, “there will be no TER between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Modane until August 30. The terminal will be in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.”

It must be said that “access to the site is still prohibited by the prefecture because there is still a risk of landslides. As soon as we can access it, we will be able to establish a diagnosis” by the geologists of the prefecture and the DDE, ” to check the risks” and then “to check the damage”, added the SNCF to AFP, specifying that a helicopter overflight of the area had to be canceled due to weather conditions.

“The rehabilitation works of the road can only begin once the mountain reinforcement works coordinated by the state services have been completed,” specifies the SNCF. Therefore, there is no guarantee of resumption of traffic on August 30.

Trenitalia also announced the cancellation of its connections between Modane and Paris up to and including Wednesday.

What solutions for stranded travelers, especially those who have to return to France?

100% refund

“Our customers who cannot travel between France and Italy are offered alternative solutions via Switzerland and Nice,” explains the SNCF.

“We are trying to find out which tourists have come by public transport, particularly by train. We will take care of repatriating them by minibus or by taxi to the nearest station,” Modane mayor Jean-Claude Raffin told RTL.

However, if the SNCF reacted on Sunday to prevent departures, some considered the management of stranded passengers random, in particular in Modane.

In addition, “SNCF Voyageurs (TGV INOUI and TER) customers who can no longer travel after this landslide benefit from a 100% refund of their ticket,” it says. Same for Trenitalia customers.