On Thursday signs were showing that France’s national rail strike could come to an end.

According to the Paris metro operator more than one train in three was running.

The state rail company SNCF said that two out of three TGV fast trains were working.

These figures are the biggest since the strike began nine days ago.

As the talks between union, management and government were underway in Paris, 50 regional workers’ assemblies voted to end the strike.

The General Labour Confederation (CGT), the biggest rail union, didn’t give any instruction to its members. Still, Didier Le Reste, one of its leaders, said on Wednesday: “the first points have been scored ... There has been a certain amount of progress," AFP reports.

Leader of UNSA, Jean-Daniel Bigarne said: “We are not calling yet for a suspension of the strike, but we expect a clear move back to work Thursday."

However, the disruption remained on Thursday and commuters had to put up with another day of overcrowded trains and traffic jams.

According to government figures, the strike is costing France almost 400 million euros (590 million dollars) a day.

President Nicolas Sarkozy said that he will support his reform plan.

Most unions showed signed of accepting the “special” pensions systems with pay-rises and top-up pensions schemes.

Still, the hardline Sud union, linked to the Trotskyist movement, showed no sign of giving up the strike.

A statement issued on Thursday from the RATP branch of Sud showed that it continued the strike “without any great conviction, and only out of respect for those members who are still pursuing the action.” Once the strike was definitely over it would join the talks.

Rail unions and management agreed at the talks held on Wednesday to have a schedule for negotiations and a list of issues that will be discussed in the meetings.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday.

The talks will last for a month.