Find the new article by Ydriss Ziane, Senior Lecturer HDR at the Sorbonne Business School!
The Cour des Comptes has just published a report on free public transport. While the measure may have ecological or social reasons, it remains difficult to finance in the current economic climate. Is it possible to reconcile economic efficiency with social measures in public transport? The terms of the debate are set.
"Nothing is ever without consequence. Consequently, nothing is ever free." This Confucian maxim finds particular resonance in the wake of the recent publication of a report by the Cour des Comptes on free public transport, a subject of debate at the start of this municipal election year, in a context with strong social and fiscal overtones.
Initiated by popular demand on the institution's citizen platform, the magistrates' report appears to be without appeal. Free access for users is a bad idea that would cost the taxpayer a lot of money, particularly for the largest networks, while degrading the quality of services and the level of investment required. What's more, free travel would encourage very few motorists to switch from their private cars to the metro or bus, thus limiting the ecological modal shift that is so necessary to limit fine-particle pollution, a major public health issue. Conversely, the report calls for fare increases to ensure network development, and better communication on solidarity fares for the most disadvantaged users.