A Major Incident Disrupts the TGV Journey Overnight, Forcing Passengers to Wait in Difficult Conditions

On Friday, February 14, 2025, a TGV traveling from Paris to Hendaye experienced a serious electrical failure, causing it to break down overnight, just after stopping at Bordeaux station. Departing from Montparnasse at 8:03 PM, train 8553 was originally scheduled to arrive in Hendaye at 12:48 AM, but it remained stranded for nearly six hours in the Landes region, near Facture-Biganos, due to the technical issue that occurred just after 11:00 PM.

The 400 passengers on board were forced to wait under difficult conditions, without heating or access to restrooms, although power was maintained at reduced capacity, providing lighting. Another train was sent to transport the passengers, and only around 5:30 AM were they able to board the new train and continue their journey with a significant delay.

SNCF Offers Compensation of 150% of Ticket Price and Organizes Passenger Transfer to Make Up for the Delay

Upon arrival in Hendaye, initially planned for 12:48 AM, the passengers finally reached their destination at 6:47 AM, resulting in a delay of over six hours. As compensation, SNCF provided breakfast, a meal box, and a 150% refund of the ticket price to all affected passengers. Despite the incident, no other trains were impacted, and the situation was quickly resolved.