The main RATP drivers’ union expressed its strong disapproval after Valérie Pécresse’s announcement on the end of the obligation for metros to stop in the event of a passenger feeling unwell until arrival relief, a change nevertheless supported by the SAMU. “On travel discomfort, we have a doctrine which is absurd, which is not that of London, not that of Tokyo,” declared Wednesday February 27 Valérie Pécresse, who chairs the Ile-de-France Mobilités transport authority (IDFM).
“When someone faints in the metro, instead of taking them out of the train to make them breathe, we keep them as if they had suffered a shock from a road accident, we put them in PLS [position safety side], we stop the train and wait for help to arrive,” she said. From now on, “for unwell travelers we will no longer stop the metro trains”, and people can be moved to the platform while waiting for help, she rejoiced.
The Paris SAMU and the Paris firefighters themselves approved this change in doctrine, Patrick Pelloux, emergency doctor at the Paris SAMU, confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The two emergency services sent a letter to the RATP, in which they explained that “the principle of not evacuating a passenger who is unwell on the platform is not a guarantee of preserving their health and safety. », specified Mr. Pelloux.
They recommend that “in the event of a passenger becoming unwell”, “any person present on site should evacuate the sick person, whether conscious or unconscious, to the platform where the train is parked.” This doctrine does not apply in “cases of trauma” such as an accident or an attack, Mr. Pelloux also declared to AFP.
Working force opposed to any obligation
For FO-RATP, the number one union among metro drivers, the implementation of these principles reflects “a reorientation of tasks, anxiety-provoking, dehumanizing and demeaning”. “It is a political posture which responds to production injunctions for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and which ultimately aims to put RATP agents in professional difficulty,” lamented FO-RATP in a leaflet.
“If the illness is not treated correctly or the person dies, it is certainly not Ms. Pécresse who will be in police custody!”, worried the union. We will not accept any obligation or call into question our right to provide assistance. »
On the IDFM side, we assure that a social dialogue is underway to discuss the terms of the measure. This dialogue must then be presented line by line in March, for implementation in June, “before the Olympic Games”. A deadline confirmed by the RATP, which ensures that training “for all metro and RER drivers, as well as train station agents” will begin within a few weeks.
Parisian transport is an important issue in the run-up to the Olympic Games, the organizers of which aim to offer 100% of spectators a public transport option to get to the competition sites. IDFM seeks to improve the quality of service, with more than 10 million spectators expected throughout the duration of the competition.
