France Hires 1,700 Buses For Commute

Faced with a massive strike that risks shutting down the French economy, the government said Sunday it was hiring 1,700 private buses so millions of commuters could get to work.

Even the company that runs Paris’ famed “Bateaux Mouches” tour boats said it will provide free shuttle service along the Seine so “harassed Parisians” could get around. The three tour boats each have 1,000 seats.

Railroad, public transportation, postal and utilities workers have been striking for 10 days to protest the government’s austerity measures, and on Sunday their leaders urged private-sector workers to join them today.

Employees of the telephone company, tax and customs agencies had already decided to strike beginning today.