Violent passengers prompt bus strikes
Nice, Orléans and Montpellier public transport workers have all walked out in recent days following series of attacks
BUS and tram services in a number of towns around France are returning to normal today after a series of strikes over violent attacks by passengers.
Drivers in Nice walked out on Saturday night and many services yesterday were being operated under police escort.
The sudden strike was called because a group of four young people had threatened a number of tram drivers with a Samurai sword.
Half of bus routes in Montpellier and both tram lines were suspended at the end of last week because of an attack on a ticket inspector.
In Orléans, services returned to normal yesterday following a strike after a bus driver was repeatedly punched in the face by a passenger. He is in hospital with serious eye injuries.
Several bus routes in the Paris suburbs in Seine-Saint-Denis have been rerouted or run under police escort after a spate of arson attacks in Tremblay-en-France.
The CFTC union, which represents the local public transport workers in Orléans, said the issue of violence on public transport was not just a problem in Paris and had spread elsewhere.
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux has promised more CCTV on city-centre buses, trams and around stops.
Photo: Services in Montpellier stopped after an attack on an inspector. Credit: Jean-Louis Zimmermann
