'Locals save 300 a year:' Are French towns right to make public transport free?

"In France, more than 40 local authorities have already made their public transport free for all passengers, including Dunkirk, Aubagne and Compiègne, as well as the metropolitan area of ​​Montpellier and its 31 municipalities. These measures are intended to encourage more environmentally friendly mobility, but France's supreme audit institution, the Cour des Comptes, has argued the objective has only been partially achieved. Free public transport increases the use of public transport "mainly in urban centres for short-distance journeys, which is more to the detriment of walking and cycling than of cars," it said. In other words it's encouraging those who would normally walk or bike to take the bus rather than those who drive."

"France's auditors also pointed out that the funds from public transport tickets could go to good use. "The resulting financial tensions also threaten the investment projects needed to green buses and develop the network," the Cour said. But they stopped short of telling local authorities to scrap the free schemes. In conclusion, they recommend in particular refocusing tariff reductions on resource criteria, increasing the fight against fraud or encouraging local authorities to publish assessments in the event of a significant tariff change."

"Towns around France which have introduced the schemes seem wedded to them and would be reluctant to re-introduce fares. Take Niort, population 60,000, for example. Buses have been free at the point of use there for eight years, and the mayor told Ouest France officials have no intention of reintroducing fares."

More than 40 French local authorities have removed fares on public transport to promote environmentally friendly mobility and increase ridership. The Cour des Comptes found that increased use has been concentrated in urban short-distance trips and often replaced walking and cycling rather than car journeys. Auditors warned that lost fare revenue creates financial tensions that could threaten investments needed to decarbonise buses and expand networks. Recommendations include targeting tariff reductions by need, strengthening anti-fraud measures, and requiring local authorities to publish impact assessments when making significant tariff changes.

Read at The Local France