How is the new price list for the Tango transport network in Nîmes and its surrounding area perceived? ?

La nouvelle grille tarifaire du réseau de transports Tango de Nîmes Métropole. Midi Libre – MIKAËL ANISSET

Since September 1st, the Tango public transport network has been applying new rates or now free travel for those over 70. On the parents' side, there is grumbling over the increase in the price of school subscriptions.

Since September 1st, the Tango public transport network of the Nîmes Métropole urban area, managed by Keolis, has changed its prices, which may have satisfied certain categories of the population and caused incomprehension, or even anger, among others.

In the good news department, passengers aged over 70 now benefit from free travel. 1,300 elderly people have converted their subscription to a free one, the other 4,000 are new subscribers.

Free ? Not totally for Franck Proust

A decision that the president of Nîmes Métropole Franck Proust recently explained to Midi Libre: “When you reach this age, sometimes you use your car less, public transport is no longer chosen but imposed.” People with 80% disability, holders of a disability card or disability mobility card, and accompanying persons holding a mobility inclusion card upon presentation of the CMI card, are also entitled to free travel.

Franck Proust likes to repeat that free transport does not exist entirely, tackling in passing the policy of his Montpellier neighbor Michaël Delafosse.

The latter, which has set up free transport in Montpellier, is counting in particular on the increase in the mandatory mobility payment rate for companies with more than eleven employees in order to find funding for this sector. It should be noted that on average, the average contribution share of companies for the cost of the public transport network in urban areas is nearly 50% and that of customers is 17%, with local authorities injecting 35%.

The FCPE speaks of inequality

If Franck Proust remains open to free transport in the medium term, it will probably be aimed at a young audience. A way to take into account the anger that is rising among parents of students?

Since the start of the school year, low-income families have been coughing after having to pay 20 euros more for the school subscription (unlimited journeys). From now on, you have to pay 90 euros or 70 euros per year (for two journeys per day, instead of 45 euros before September 1). Rates lower than in Greater Avignon or similar to those in Perpignan, but above the Alès Agglo Ales’Y network. The study pass is set at 160 euros. per year.

A situation that fuels debates at the FCPE du Gard. “We have had feedback from parents. There is a certain fatalism. The question of transport comes up when students are assigned outside the sector.  The organization, for the timetables, questions us", specifies the president of the FCPE du Gard Sabrina Girault.

The organization denounces the inequality of school transport in the department and expresses its deep concern “faced with the increase in school transport subscriptions in the Nîmes area, while the Occitanie Region has maintained free travel on all liO transport, Nîmes Métropole has opted for an increase in costs. This situation creates a flagrant inequality between students in the department. […] The FCPE reminds us that the right to education is fundamental. Access to school transport is an essential element in guaranteeing opportunities for all students."

Parents are demanding free school transport for all pupils in the Gard region and are calling on local and regional elected officials to take the necessary measures. This is not happening tomorrow! The Agglo presidency highlights the fact that the price of school subscriptions had dropped by 131 euros since 2019 so it's not to make it free.

Employer support

For other travelers, it's also grinding teeth since the Freedom Pass (unlimited travel) has gone from 33.30 € to 38 € per month, or an annual subscription of 414 euros, well above those offered in Grand Avignon, Perpignan and Alès Agglo.

One clarification, however: this amount can be covered by the employer up to 50 to 75%. Nîmes Métropole indicates that this increase is also the consequence of double-digit inflation in recent months. It remains to be seen whether the Agglo will revise its rates downwards if the inflationary trend is less and less relevant.

The community council of Nîmes Métropole will be held at the Colisée 2 this Monday, September 23, from 6 p.m., with around a hundred deliberations on the agenda. I subscribe to read the rest