French City Clermont-Ferrand could soon extend its weekend free public transport for all to weekdays too. The article in Connexion newspaper says:

‘Since December 4, 2021, all residents of the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area have been able to use public transport for free on weekends. But now, mayor Olivier Bianchi, has said that he is “not opposed in principle” to the idea of making the city’s transport network free during the week too.’

The article quotes the Mayor of Nantes, stating that free travel on weekends is “both a measure to improve the purchasing power of residents and users of public transport, and a concrete response to the challenges of the ecological transition.”

All cities mentioned experienced an increase in passenger numbers, and in Niort “many car drivers have switched to using the buses; 85% of new bus users had previously travelled by car in the city before 2017.”

The article states that three cities in France already offer free public transport to all, but this is an underestimate: our friends who are campaigning in France say: “There are currently more than 43 cities with free public transport for all in France. 6 above 100000 inhabitants and 10 between 50000 and 100000 inhabitants.” These cities provide comparators for UK cities, who should also be providing free public transport. More information on which cities provide free public transport and a map is available on the website Observatoire des Villes du Transport Gratuit (Observatory of Cities with Free Transport).

At Fare Free London’s event on 29th September, we will discuss developments in France with Jerome Serodio, National Coordination of Collectives for Free Public Transport in France. All are welcome, from the interested to the already-active.  Sign up here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/winning-free-public-transport-campaign-meeting/

Published: 8 September 2024.