Mont-Saint-Martin. Cross-border buses canceled in the evening: what happened?
“Has Val-Saint-Martin become a lawless zone, if buses can no longer pass there in the evening? “Behind the anger of Hocine Arab, there is a reality with which the 50-year-old and other inhabitants of Mont-Saint-Martin have been dealing with for more than a month…
“Rise in attacks”
On September 19, the Luxembourg Public Transport Administration (ATP) canceled departures for lines 703 and 732 from Rodange station after 6.30 p.m. “These cancellations were necessary after an increase in attacks since August, all occurred in Mont-Saint-Martin”, justifies Alex Kies, director of the ATP. “It ranged from intimidation and harassment (of drivers), to spitting, vandalism and even gunfire. »
Four complaints filed
Four complaints from the Sales-Lentz company were registered at the police station, due to facts between August 20 and September 7, still in the middle of the night. Three stoned vehicles, avenue du 8-Mai-1945, and shots from a ball gun having broken three windows of a bus, rue Joseph-Labbé. “Some time since, the drivers have been the subject of violent attacks, the most serious affecting these cross-border lines”, restored Paul Glouchitski, secretary of the LCGB. His union – majority in Grand Ducal transport – listed eleven cases in 2022.
At the same time, the profession would have obtained the establishment of secure driving cabs. “But deployment takes time! In the meantime, we have proposed the placement of security guards on certain lines and at certain times. However, this poses a problem, once the Luxembourg agent is at the French border…”
“Avoid” the problem
“Aware of the impact on users, Paul Glouchitski can only regret the current situation. We cannot allow drivers to be put in danger. But the measure chosen only tends to temporarily avoid the problem. And if, tomorrow, assaults are reported on other routes, will they all be deleted? »
The incomprehension of the trade unionist joins that of Hocine Arab. However, it is towards the elected officials of his city that the Saint-Martinois directs his annoyance. “They were the recipients of a letter from September 5. The problem was known. Why didn’t they react? »
An alternate solution?
The mayor, Serge De Carli, defends himself from any lack of response. “We proposed an alternative solution: maintain the lines, but with a stop on Boulevard de Metz or Route de Longwy, so as to “shunt” the Val district, which apparently poses a problem. We have not heard back since…” The first magistrate regrets “a unilateral decision”, making the economy of any consultation on the problem.
“It was impossible to consult the municipalities, defends Alex Kies, Luxembourg side. It was necessary to act as quickly as possible to improve the working conditions of bus drivers who are afraid to go to Mont-Saint-Martin. »
It remains to be hoped, for users, that the line between the two countries is not dead and buried.