Controversy at the Devil's Bridge: after the incivility, a serene atmosphere on the bus and along the river

Montpellier-la rivière en bus, c'est une liaison régulière qui fonctionne bien. Midi Libre – M. C.

La ligne de bus 668 a récemment été au centre de l’attention suite à des incivilités (vols, dégradations, agressions) déplorées au Pont du Diable. Certains riverains et élus pointent du doigt des groupes de jeunes de Montpellier.

It is 11:20 this Thursday, July 25, at the Mosson tram station in Montpellier, when passengers on the 668 board this bus bound for Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The summer atmosphere is very different from the buses that usually serve the Hérault Valley, often filled with workers or students. That day, in the 668, the parasols stick out from the bags, the sound of sandals resonates and a very particular holiday atmosphere hangs in the air.

Passengers from all walks of life

The profiles of the passengers who come to enjoy the many activities offered by the Grand site du Pont du Diable are very different from each other.
Camille and Sarah, Belgian tourists staying in Montpellier, climbed on the bus to discover the Hérault hinterland. Camille says: “It was the Montpellier tourist office that advised us to come here, we are particularly looking forward to discovering Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, it looks magnificent. “
While the bus is full of tourists, locals also come to fill it to enjoy the (relative) coolness of the Hérault River. This is the case of Maria, a retiree from Montpellier, “I don't have a driver's license and I don't really like the crowds at the beach. Taking the bus to come here is a good compromise to be a little cool.”

Dealing with incivility

Faced with the latest incivility on the Grand site, the anger of the residents has grown. This is how, on June 18, the Communauté de communes de la Vallée de l'Hérault (CCVH) took up the subject during a crisis meeting on security issues at the Pont du Diable.
Preceded by a public meeting, the crisis meeting brought together many stakeholders: Philippe Salasc, mayor of Aniane, Pascal Delieuze, mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Fos, Robert Siegel, mayor of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Claude Carceller, mayor of Montpeyroux and vice-president of tourism at the CCVH. The gendarmerie, Hérault Transport and the security company that looks after the Pont du Diable were also present.
The meeting resulted in increased police patrols when getting off the bus, increased vigilance requested from Hérault Transport mediators (present since 2020) as well as those from the Grand site, as well as the passage of security agents. In addition to the new measures, this year the security budget has increased by 40%. This Thursday, August 1, the same stakeholders are meeting to take stock of the measures taken. < br/> At present, Claude Carceller says he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the measures and reminds that “< em > those who want to fight are not welcome at “us”. "
Despite these recent events, one point seems to clearly emerge: this bus line remains essential for tourists and residents of the Hérault Valley.

Read also: Controversy at Pont du Diable: the increase in parking fees is making users angry

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