Paris travelers rejoice: The non-stop transport strike in the French capital is officially over. Or will be on Wednesday January 29.
That’s the word from the President and CEO of the RATP Paris public transport authority, Catherine Guillouard. The non-ending strike is 'behind us', she assures.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Guillouard, says traffic will be 'almost normal' on the network Wednesday despite a new day of strike action.
That sounds like a contradiction ... Yet Guillouard says any ongoing transport disruptions due to the strikes over pension reform 'are not long-term'.
A positive sign: The RATP has not announced any traffic forecasts for the Metro and RER suburban train network for Tuesday January 28, as it has done over past weeks on its website and via twitter. Though if you dig deep, it does warn of public protests to be held between the Place de l’Italie and Invalides stations Wednesday.

Strike Action At A Trickle Wednesday
The current strike action is now at a trickle, with all Metro lines operating and no stations closed. 12 out of 16 Metro lines are operating 100%. On the other 4, the disruptions are minimal.
On Wednesday, for the suburban RER Line B, this will mean 4 in 5 trains in peak hours, and 3 in 4 in non-peak. For Metro Lines 5, 6 and 8 there will be about 3 in 4 or 4 in 5 trains. And for Metro Line 13, 2 in 3.
Parisians and overseas travelers can now collectively breathe a massive sigh of relief after two months of commuter chaos in the French capital.
Though the strike had shown signs of slowing to a complete halt over the past week, the rail unions threatened to resume their industrial action from January 24.
Unions broke the strike on Monday January 19 to allow workers to 'recharge their batteries' as they plotted the next course of action.
Since then, most Metro lines have returned to normal, after six weeks of the walk-out which paralyzed French rail and Paris public transport.
Guillouard does not believe the current strike will amount to much. 'For Wednesday, at this stage, the level of strikes signalled (by the union) is very low compared to previous episodes. Traffic should therefore be almost normal'.
So What’s The Outcome For Pension Reform?
Guillouard says the RATP unions have obtained 'concrete concessions' over the pension reform, even though the planned streamlining of the pension system will go ahead. 'Yes, the special regimes will be abolished, but the transition phase will be long, suitable, and respectful of the RATP social contract.'
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has reportedly made 'a major concession' in his government’s showdown with unions, retracting the bill’s most controversial measure – the so-called pivot age.
This raised the age at which retirees could collect a full pension to 64, from 62, though the latter remains the legal retirement age. This meant penalties for those who retired earlier, bonuses for retiring later.
The aim according to France 24, was 'to encourage workers to stay on the job, and pay into the system, for longer.' It alarmed unions, 'with even the traditionally reform-minded CFDT saying it ‘crossed a red line’.'
Strike Ends Officially On Day 56?
So what is the official last day of the mega-strike? If there is completely normal traffic across the Paris transport network Wednesday, that will be Day 56 of the strikes.
Travelers no doubt will want to first see it to believe it.
