Montpellier, France, has implemented a free public transportation program, allowing its 500,000 residents unfettered access since December 2023. This initiative, driven by Mayor Michael Delafosse, aims to address demands from both the Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vest) protests for economic relief and youth climate advocates from Fridays for Future. The deputy mayor, Julie Freche, emphasizes the need to balance ecological responses with support for vulnerable groups. The program has resulted in a 33% increase in ridership, particularly benefiting occasional travelers who no longer face ticketing barriers. However, opposition exists from some transit workers' unions.
"We had to respond to the ecological question raised by the youth - and at the same time, this response could not be to the detriment of the most fragile groups who can have the feeling that any new ecological initiative is punitive.", said Freche. "We decided to propose measures that would ultimately reconcile environmental protection with increased purchasing power, and [the answer] was the gratuity of public transportation."
"Now, for the occasional traveler, there is no more barrier to take public transportation," said Freche. "You don't have to validate the ticket, [or even] to buy it."
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