Massive transport strike paralyzes Paris over pension reform

A massive strike paralyzed Paris public transports on Friday as unions protested a sweeping pension reform by French President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Paris public transport company RATP said 10 metro lines were closed and several others, including the RER suburban rail, were severely disrupted. Buses and trams were also affected.

On platforms, messages in French and English were warning passengers of the strike, the biggest since 2007.

Trains that were still circulating were noticeably less crowded than usual, as authorities recommended people living in the Paris region to work from home or choose other means of transport.

The government website monitoring roads showed major traffic jams in and around the French capital.

RATP employees are protesting a pension reform planned for next year that is expected to make them work longer before retirement.

At Le Vesinet, west of Paris, commuter Benjamin Royoux, who uses his electric scooter to circulate in Paris city center, said he was "rather pleasantly surprised" to find that there were trains every 15 minutes.

Royoux has concerns, however, that there could be more strikes. "One day is going to be ok. But if it continues ... we'll see."
Paris City Hall employee Catherine Reine, also waiting for her RER at Le Vesinet, said she supports the workers' strike "because they are very afraid for their future, and I think it's normal."