SNCF halts ticket sales over December 5 strike

France's rail operator SNCF has closed down ticket sales for TGV inOui, Ouigo and Intercités rail services between December 5 and December 8 in response to the planned general strike in protest over pension reforms.

Ticket sales for a small number of services have been closed down until December 10, with those services marked 'full'.

Railway unions, as well as those for workers on Paris public transport operator RATP, heavy goods lorry drivers, airline Air France, public hospitals, and electricity giant EDF have added their support to the planned walkout on December 5.

The date also marks the start of 'unlimited' strike action on the railways. As a result, SNCF has closed the ticket office, to allow ticket holders 'flexibility of access' on services that will run on strike days. 

Shutting down sales also avoids the sale of tickets that would not be commercially insured, SNCF told broadcaster BFM TV.

Read more: Most French people against planned SNCF strike

Regular updates on services during the strike will be available from December 3, SNCF said. "From this date, every day at 5pm, we will provide a precise update on disruptions over the next two days for the TGV INOUI, OUIGO and Intercités trains, so that our customers can organise themselves. 

"This information will be available on all channels: the SNCF Assistant and Oui.sncf applications and sncf.com" 

Users who have supplied contact details will be contacted by SMS.