Post date: Dec 28, 2010 7:34:20 PM
Dozens of exhausted train passengers have arrived in the south of France more than 13 hours late after a series of incidents along the way. Jon Decker reports.
FRANCE-SNOW DELAYED TRAIN - In France, passengers aboard a night train on the country's SNCF rail network are still talking about what could best be described as a travel nightmare.
Bad weather, a late driver, a bad engine, a blockage on the line and even disruptive drunks all contributed to the late arrival of the train traveling from Strasbourg in the north-east to Nice in the south of France.
A spokesman for the state railway company confirmed that a variety of factors contributed to the train
completing its journey 13 hours late. FRANCOIS DERHIN, HEAD OF MARKETING AT THE FRENCH RAILWAYS COMPANY SNCF SAYING:
"We can't say it's bad luck but we must admit that there has been a series of unfortunate events making this trip extremely complicated."
When the train reached Lyon, passengers bound in the direction of Nice were transferred to another train, while those going south-west remained on board.
UNIDENTIFIED PASSENGER SAYING:
"I left Strasbourg 24 hours ago, it took me 24 hours to do 900 kilometers, which means my speed was 37,5 kilometers per hour, it is just incredible, it is worse than Africa."
A few dozen passengers remained on the train when it arrived in Perpignan, the train's final destination.
Passengers unlucky enough to be on what some called the hell train, were offered a full refund of their fares and a free round-trip ticket on a future trip.
Jon Decker, Reuters.