France heatwave: SNCF cancels 71 Intercités trains due to AC failure fears

France's national railway company, SNCF Voyageur, has announced the cancellation of 71 Intercités train services between Thursday, June 18, and Monday, June 22. This measure is a direct response to a heatwave expected to bring temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F) in some regions, particularly in central and southern France.

The primary concern is the risk of "potential air conditioning failures linked to very high temperatures" on the older Corail carriages. These trains were designed when peak heat conditions were less severe than those currently being experienced. The cancellations primarily affect mid-day services, when temperatures are highest.

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potential air conditioning failures linked to very high temperatures

The affected routes include the Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse line, known as "Palito," with 31 trains canceled; the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line, "Pacle," with 19 cancellations; and the Bordeaux-Marseille cross-country route, with 21 cancellations. These represent between 25% and nearly 40% of scheduled services on these lines, depending on the specific route and day.

SNCF Voyageur stated that these cancellations represent only about 0.1% of its daily operations and that capacity on remaining trains would be reinforced where possible. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be able to exchange their tickets or receive a full refund without charge. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges with modernizing the Intercités network, particularly the reliability of air conditioning systems on older rolling stock.

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