As the countdown to the Paris Olympics 2024 continues, the capital’s transportation infrastructure is undergoing significant changes to address issues of service quality and emergency response protocols. In a recent announcement, Valerie Pecresse, head of the Ile-de-France region overseeing Paris’ transport system, revealed a significant shift in policy regarding unwell passengers on public transit.
Previously, incidents of passengers feeling unwell, commonly referred to as “malaise voyageur,” led to trains being stopped, resulting in disruptions and delays on the metro system. However, with the Olympics approaching, Pecresse announced a new approach that will minimize these interruptions: instead of stopping the train, authorities will focus on swiftly evacuating affected passengers from the train for immediate treatment on station platforms.
Valerie Pecresse, head of the Ile-de-France region, stated that the old policy of keeping unwell passengers on board would be scrapped. This decision was made to address the concern raised by commuters about frequent delays and breakdowns on Paris’ subway system.
This decision comes amid concerns raised by commuters experiencing frequent delays and breakdowns on the Paris metro, fueling anxieties as the city prepares to host the prestigious global event. With some visitors expressing their dissatisfaction with the public transport system, particularly its subway network, in comparison to other metropolitan subway systems in developed countries in Europe and other parts of the world, the safety, health, and other transport issues in Paris have become a significant concern, casting doubt on the city’s capability to host the Summer Olympics 2024.
