Faced with a shortage of drivers, French train operator SNCF will cut the number of regional trains by seven percent on weekdays and four percent on weekends until November 6.

In a letter on August 30 addressed to Guillaume Pepy, SNCF president, Christian Estrosi said he believes that “the region is once again presented with a fait accompli”.

The President of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region added that “these cuts are unacceptable to users and that the train operator must offer, without delay, to pay compensation for the damage suffered”. Estrosi has also asked for a formal commitment that the service be restored to normal as soon as possible and no later than November 6 as advertised.

Relations between local governments on the Riviera and the SNCF have been seriously strained for several years, and the regional train service has the second-worst performance in France as measured by cancellations, delays and local strikes.