France is facing a nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers that has left the country with almost no train, bus or metro services.
A nationwide one-day strike by public transport workers in France has left the country with drastically reduced train, bus and metro services.
The strike began on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1800 GMT).
Trade unions held protests in dozens of towns and cities in their campaign to protect a pension system enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers.
It is the first test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform including plans to scrap pension privileges.
It was the first real test of President Nicolas Sarkozy's resolve to push through public sector reform.
It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, with thousands of fans arriving in Paris.
It comes as France prepares to host Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
Trade unions plan to hold street demonstrations in some 60 towns and cities in their campaign to protect pension systems enjoyed by 1.6m rail, energy and other workers.
The strike began late on Wednesday, and travellers were urged to postpone their journeys, take the day off or work from home.
Just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said.
Velib demand
Mr Sarkozy has vowed to phase out 'special regimes'In Paris, metro, bus and regional commuter networks are laying on a skeleton service.
In the capital, Paris, three out of 14 subway lines were shut, and only one subway train in 10 was running on most lines, the RATP transport authority said.
With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority was warning that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work.
Cars clogged Paris' streets earlier than usual, and the city's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme recorded twice as many users as on a normal day.
Travellers have been urged to postpone their journeys and many Paris commuters have made arrangements to take the day off or work from home, the French news agency AFP reports.
PENSION SYSTEM President Sarkozy pledged to phase out special regimes during his election campaignSpecial regime employees work 37.5 years instead of 40 to receive a full pensionCost to the French taxpayer is an estimated 5bn euros (£3.5bn, $7bn) this year
Others were planning car-shares or to use the capital's new Velib self-service bicycle scheme.
Several commuter rail lines were closed, while platforms for those still running were unusually empty.
With commuters relying on their cars, traffic bottlenecks were expected as early as 0530 on major routes into Paris, the national road information service said.
With rail links into Paris from its two airports down, the civil air authority warned that some flights could experience delays if staff had problems getting to work.
But the SNCF sought to reassure England rugby fans that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday.
Bus and tram services faced disruption in 27 major cities, and just 46 TGV fast trains were running out of the normal 700, the state-owned rail company SNCF said.
Highways around the capital were reported to be unusually empty.
The national road information service said that at 0800 (0600GMT), there were only 76km (47 miles) of traffic jams, down from 157km (97 miles) on an average Thursday.
But the SNCF has sought to reassure rugby fans travelling from London for the final between England and South Africa that eight out of 10 Eurostar trains would be running, with normal service expected to resume on Friday.
'Calmly but firmly'
'Calmly but firmly'
Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow.
Bernard Thibault of the General Labour Confederation warned more strikes could follow.
Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added.
Workers were "fed up with being constantly portrayed as privileged or in some way guilty on the issue of pensions", he added.
Paris metro trains were packed at rush hour
However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable".
However, labour minister Xavier Bertrand said on Wednesday that the reforms were "indispensable".
Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly".
Mr Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he would press ahead with the reforms "calmly but firmly".
Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees.
Only 6% of pensions are classed as "special regime", which allows beneficiaries to retire after 37.5 years worked, compared with 40 years for other public and private sector employees.
Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50.
Currently, workers in jobs deemed physically demanding can retire at the age of 50.
The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year.
The government says the cost to the budget of the special regime will be 5bn euros (£3.48bn) this year.
Are you affected by the strike? Have you had to change your travel arrangements? Are you taking part in the strike action? Send us your comments on the form below:
Are you affected by the strike? Have you had to change your travel arrangements? Are you taking part in the strike action? Send us your comments on the form below:
