PARIS, April 20 — After weeks of train strikes in France, one company has capitalised on the commuter chaos.
BlablaCar says its passenger numbers have doubled since railway workers at the state-owned SNCF began the walk out at the start of the month.
BlaBlaCar CEO Frederic Mazzella says: “On certain routes, passenger demand has multiplied by six. This is why we have also put in place, in the face of this high passenger demand, several coaches to meet this demand.”
The app-based service connects drivers and passengers travelling to a common destination.
It's Bernard Audin's first time using it.
The training manager from the city of Tours picked up three people on his commute to Paris.
BlaBlaCar driver Bernard Audin says: “It's an unusual experience. It's the first time I am doing BlaBlaCar, it's allowed me to meet people. It's nice.”
BlaBlaCar also offers a coach share service connecting users of the app to firms which operate vehicles between popular commutes like Paris to Lille.
BlaBlaCar user Idris Sanoussy says: “It's much more reliable than trains, that is sure. Because you have security, you talk with people. On trains, it's not possible to talk with someone.”
Neither the government — pushing to reform the railway company — nor the unions show any sign of backing down.
Audin says it's a battle —“from another era.”
One that at the moment only modern day technology seems to be winning. — Reuters
