SNCF Strike and Maintenance Works Cause Significant Transport Disruptions in Paris and Île-de-France

Widespread Disruptions Hit Paris Transport

Public transport networks across Paris and the Île-de-France region faced significant challenges from January 12 to 18, 2026, stemming from a nationwide SNCF strike and extensive maintenance operations. The primary industrial action occurred on Tuesday, January 13, leading to considerable service alterations on key commuter lines.

SNCF Strike Demands Wage Increases

The strike on January 13, 2026, was orchestrated by the Sud Rail and CGT unions, coinciding with the final day of annual mandatory wage negotiations. Unions voiced dissatisfaction with current salary policies, despite a 400-euro bonus reportedly paid by management in December.

Sud Rail specifically called for a 400-euro flat-rate pay increase, aiming to prevent further widening of salary disparities. The union argued that despite recent annual raises keeping pace with inflation, the overall purchasing power of railway workers had not improved, citing consumer prices as 13% higher than in September 2021. Meanwhile, the CGT demanded a 12% raise for both salaries and pensions, alongside the introduction of a thirteenth month's salary for all railway employees.

Impact on Rail Services

The strike on January 13 led to severe disruptions across several vital rail lines in the Île-de-France region:

• RER D: Experienced severe disruptions, with only between 25% and 50% of trains operating. Service was reduced to one train in two between Corbeil-Essonnes and Creil, and between Melun and Goussainville. Only one in four trains ran between Juvisy and Malesherbes via Ris-Orangis.
• RER E: Services were affected, with approximately two out of three trains running as scheduled.
• Transilien Line R: Reported disruptions, with roughly two-thirds of trains operating.

Other parts of the Transilien network, including RER A, B, C, and lines H, J, K, L, N, P, U, V, were largely expected to operate normally on the day of the strike. TGV and Intercités services also largely ran as usual, with only minor disruptions noted on a few regional lines.

Ongoing Maintenance Works Add to Commuter Challenges

Beyond the strike, public transport in the region faced continuous disruptions throughout the week of January 12 to 18, 2026, due to scheduled maintenance works across both RATP and SNCF lines, primarily affecting evening services after 8 p.m.

Notable upcoming and ongoing maintenance projects include:

• Transilien Line J: Major infrastructure work is planned for February and March 2026, involving complete rail closures on specific weekends between Paris Saint-Lazare and stations such as Argenteuil, Ermont-Eaubonne, or Houilles Carrières-sur-Seine.
• Tramway T1: Services between Asnières-Quatre Routes and Saint-Denis station remain halted until summer 2026 due to third-party damage.
• Tramway T2: Disruptions between Porte de Versailles and Suzanne Lenglen are expected until the end of February 2026 due to modernization efforts.
• Transilien Line U: Will be completely shut down every evening until the end of January.

Commuters were advised to consult the Bonjour RATP and SNCF Connect applications for real-time updates and to allow for additional travel time during this period of combined industrial action and infrastructure improvements.