During an interview after the Bastille Day celebratory parade in Champ Elysees, the President of France Francois Hollande admitted that the country needs to do a double take on its rail network maintenance. Just a few days before the French National Day, a passenger train derailed at a station in Bretigny-sur-Orge, a suburb in Paris, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more. The crash was touted to be the worst train accident in the rail network's past 25 years of operation.
The President said that there must be further actions to be undertaken to maintain traditional or existing lines. This sentiment is in relation to criticisms that the government is putting too much of its attention - investments and funding, to the high-speed TGV lines.
Talking about his plans regarding the allocation of much needed financing for traditional lines despite the weak economy, Hollande said he will "increase taxes only if absolutely necessary, ideally as little as possible."
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