A reopened station, the symbolic and provocative action of the railway line defense committee Brive

A “happy birthday” banner unfolded in front of the Bretenoux-Biars station, followed by a small inauguration ceremony at 11am, is the symbolic action carried out this Saturday by the committee for the defense of the Brive – Aurillac railway line. This committee, also a member of the “Angry Trainless” collective, fully embraces the slightly provocative aspect of this demonstration, aimed at improving service on this line.

Not enough trains and inappropriate schedules

Every day, several thousand employees come to work in Biars-sur-Cère and among them, hundreds come from Brive, Turenne, or surrounding villages according to the committee defending this railway line. It goes both ways, but in any case, they are forced to take their cars, laments Didier Pesteil, one of the committee members. “The first train from Brive arrives at 12:08 at the Bretenoux-Biars station. There are no trains at all in the morning and furthermore, there are not enough.”

€100,000 in savings possible over a whole career by taking the train

In the era of climate change and inflation, it is a real pity insists Didier Pesteil, because according to his calculations, workers would benefit greatly from taking the train. “From Brive, someone who works in the Biars area would save nearly €100,000, just on fuel costs. If they could come by train with a work subscription, half would be covered by the employer.” This would also save time, spent on something other than driving: “they could talk, read, or even continue working.”

The committee for the defense of the Brive – Aurillac line therefore wants to challenge the political world with this demonstration and remind everyone that modernization works have been carried out on this line in recent years, especially between Brive and the Lot. For its members, there is a strong need for political will and coordination to adjust schedules and increase the number of trains, as this line depends on three regions, with sections in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.