Since the early hours of Friday, January 30, the RER C has been experiencing significant disruptions in Yvelines. A loud explosion occurred Thursday evening at the Porchefontaine electrical substation, causing a power outage that continues to halt train services this morning. Initially, the SNCF announced around 6 a.m. that traffic would be interrupted only in the Viroflay-Saint-Quentin direction, but this was revised 20 minutes later: the suspension now affects both directions between Viroflay Rive Gauche and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Commuters in Île-de-France who travel daily along this stretch of RER C are facing a tough morning. The railway operator is working diligently to fix an electrical failure and hopes to restore normal service by 10:10 a.m. In the meantime, no trains are running between the two Yvelines terminals, forcing travelers to seek alternative routes or wait patiently for updates.
Elsewhere along the line, the situation remains equally frustrating. Service between Viroflay and Invalides is disrupted in both directions, with trains running late or canceled entirely. These cascading delays and cancellations are making life difficult for thousands of commuters relying on this route to reach Paris from the western suburbs of Île-de-France.
On Thursday evening, just after 6 p.m., a loud blast echoed from the electrical substation beneath Versailles' Porchefontaine station. Though uncommon, such incidents can occur when faulty electrical equipment causes a power surge or short circuit. The substation, which supplies electricity to the overhead wires used by trains, was knocked out of service, resulting in a complete power outage along that section of the line.
Technical teams from SNCF and SNCF Réseau arrived at the scene Thursday evening to assess the damage and begin repair efforts. Such operations are complex and time-consuming, requiring not only pinpointing the exact cause of the failure but also verifying that the entire system can be safely energized again.
In light of this service disruption, we advise you to regularly check the SNCF Connect app or the Transilien website for real-time updates on the situation. SNCF provides live information through its X account (formerly Twitter) to keep travelers informed about the latest news regarding the RER C.
If you need to use this section of the line this morning, several alternatives are available. You might consider taking other transit options, such as the RER B from certain stations, or opting for the replacement bus services that SNCF usually deploy during such disruptions. Also, look into the Transilien N or U lines, which serve parts of the Yvelines region and can offer alternative routes around the affected area.
For those commuting to Paris from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines or other intermediate stations, expect significantly longer travel times. Carpooling or remote work could be viable options if your job allows it. Île-de-France Mobilités, the organizing body for public transport in the Paris region, also provides online tools to help plan alternative routes.
In short, the recent power outage in Porchefontaine highlights the vulnerability of our rail infrastructure and shows how a technical glitch can immediately affect thousands of commuters. Authorities are hopeful that maintenance crews will restore power by around 10:10 a.m., allowing the RER C to return to its normal service in the Yvelines area. In the meantime, patience and caution are indispensable for all travelers impacted by this disruption.
