In just a few years, abandoned luggage has become a plague for public transport operators. At the SNCF, for example, at the end of 2021 they represented the main cause of delays on long-distance trains. Last year they generated 4,300 hours of delays.
In the RATP, each forgotten bag causes an hour of traffic interruption and the authority has observed a 70% increase in the phenomenon between 2022 and 2023.
Despite the communications operations, there are still many cases of oversights on trains and stations, enough to encourage a senator to present an amendment to tighten the screws. According to him, the sanctions (a fine of 150 euros to the SNCF, for example) are not severe enough.
250 euros minimum
Drafted by Guillaume Gouffier Valente, senator of Val-de-Marne, within the framework of the proposed law relating to the reinforcement of transport security, this amendment aims to “respond to the difficulties of carriers faced with an increase in abandoned baggage “.
The amendment proposes three levels of sanctions:
- A first level for the abandonment of luggage due to carelessness, inattention or negligence, with a fourth class fine, that is, 750 euros maximum.
- A second level for the same acts when there is a labeling obligation in force (as in all SNCF trains, ed.), with a fifth class fine, that is, 1,500 euros maximum.
- A third level for the voluntary abandonment of luggage, in the event that it constitutes a malicious act that can be proven by any means.
“In all cases, public action can end with the payment of a fixed fine of 300 euros, which can be reduced to 250 euros or increased to 600 euros,” we can read.
The amendment was presented this Friday, November 22 and is currently in first reading in the Senate.
Source: BFM TV
