Montpellier's December Delight: Free Transit

Montpellier, located in the southern region of France, is on the verge of launching a revolutionary complimentary public transportation program on December 21.

This initiative positions Montpellier as the largest French metropolis to embrace such an innovative scheme, setting a benchmark for urban mobility transformations.

Commencing next month, local residents will have the privilege of utilizing a complimentary transport pass covering the extensive bus and tram network within the city. The primary goals of this visionary scheme include a significant reduction in emissions, mitigation of pollution levels, and enhanced accessibility for the city’s diverse populace.

Mayor Michaël Delafosse expressed the city's commitment to social justice and ecological progress through the bold step of introducing free transport, emphasizing the measure's positive impact on ecological transition.

Montpellier has been experimenting with free transport on weekends since September 2020, extending the initiative to weekdays for individuals under 18 and over 65 in 2021.

This expansion aligns with the city’s ambitious €150 million initiative for achieving zero-carbon mobility, encompassing investments in cycle lanes and the establishment of a low emissions zone.

While Montpellier leads the charge, various other French towns and cities have already implemented similar schemes following the decentralization of transport management in 2015. However, most of these locales have populations below 150,000.

Dunkirk, with nearly 200,000 inhabitants, stands out as the largest city to embrace free transport, experiencing an 85% increase in passenger numbers after the introduction of fare-free bus routes in 2018.

Funding for these schemes often involves a marginal increase in the Mobility Payment tax, applied to public and private companies with over 10 employees in France.

Currently, 39 territories across France, including Dunkirk, Calais, and Niort, have successfully implemented comparable initiatives, but Montpellier’s adoption represents a significant leap forward.

As Montpellier pioneers this transformative approach, the prospect of replicating the concept in larger cities like Paris remains uncertain. Urban centers heavily reliant on ticketing revenue, such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, are more likely to continue exploring partial free access for specific demographics, such as young people, seniors, and the unemployed.

In Montpellier, residents eager to benefit from the free transport pass can conveniently register through the M’Ticket app and the TAM website, requiring photo ID and proof of address. The pass, once obtained, will be accessible on smartphones and must be validated each time passengers board buses and trams.

Source: euonews.com