Starting Thursday evening, public transport will be free for 500,000 residents of the metropolis of Montpellier in southern France, one of the largest European communities to join the approach, France Presse and Agerpres reported.

In Europe, since 2020, Luxembourg with a population of 650,000 inhabitants has introduced free public transport in this country, and in 2013, the capital of Estonia, Tallinn (445,000 inhabitants), made a similar decision.

In France, about 40 communities have already taken this step, including the city of Dunkirk in the north of the country, but all of them are less populated than the metropolis of Montpellier and 31 neighboring communes.

“Free transport is an idea that reflects Europe’s commitment to the New Green Deal, namely climate and purchasing power,” Montpellier Mayor Michael Delafosse told AFP on Thursday.

“We decided to create an association here to help other European mayors make this choice,” he added, also saying he was happy to see the Spanish government preparing to launch “free transport during the summer”.

In Montpellier, before this reward, the annual cost of a public transport pass for a couple with two children was €1,472.

“Given the price of gasoline, this measure can help reduce car use,” Audrey Benezek, 46, director of a travel agency, said Wednesday.

A campaign promise of the socialist mayor of Montpellier, this reward was introduced step by step, as in Dunkirk and Tallinn. In 2020, this measure was first introduced on weekends for all residents of the Montpellier metropolis, then it was expanded in 2021 to the entire week for youth under 18 and people over 65.

Starting Thursday evening, it will target all residents with a free subscription, available on smartphone or in card form. The user will no longer need to verify it, but will be required to provide, upon verification, proof of a valid subscription that can be renewed annually and proof of residency in that city.

“We equipped all tram depots with counters. They use a light beam to count the number of people entering and exiting the tram. This will help us make our free policy objective,” said Julie Fresh, Deputy Prime Minister. – head of the city transport committee.

Before the introduction of the free mode, the number of public transport subscribers was 85,000. According to AFP data. By mid-December, just days before the free event launched, that number had grown to 260,000.

Reduced quality?

For residents outside the metropolis, as well as for tourists, the travel ticket (1.6 euros/ticket) will remain paid, its cost may even increase. This choice has been criticized by the opposition, which sees it as an obstacle to modal transfer.

To make up for the shortfall in ticket revenue, local authorities will rely on a tax paid by companies with more than 11 employees, which has been rising for the past three years.

The French municipality also anticipates savings of almost €2 million by eliminating ticket-checking machines and therefore their maintenance.

In 2022, ticket revenues amounted to 39 million euros, of which 90% came from residents of the capital region.

The French metropolis responded to fears related to the decline in the quality of transport services with large-scale investments: 70 new electric buses and 77 new trams were purchased for 224 million euros.

In this way, the City Hall of Montpellier hopes for a 20% increase in the number of local residents using public transport.

According to a report published in 2023 by the regional office of the Chamber of Accounts, in 2019, before the health crisis of COVID-19, the number of trips in this French city, known for the development of the tram network, was almost 84 million. .

However, it issued a warning: “the gradual introduction of free travel has led to a deterioration in the supply of transport services” and “has led to a reduction in the frequency of services on several lines”.