With every municipal campaign, the question of free transportation comes up again in Paris. For a long time, it was seen as unrealistic in a dense and already heavily frequented metropolis, but now the idea is back in a more targeted form: the idea of making bus rides within the capital free, which is thought of as a way to encourage people to give up their cars.
Contrary to popular belief, tickets and subscriptions only cover a small part of public transport financing. In France, only 17% of transport network budgets come from ticket sales, compared to 52% from the mobility contribution, a tax paid by companies, and 31% from public funding.
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In Paris, the contribution from users is higher than in smaller towns, but it still remains a minority. In this context, the proposal from the current Deputy for Mobility, David Belliard, to make 62 inner-city bus lines free would represent an estimated cost of 30 million euros per year, according to the ecologist.
A relatively modest amount compared to the transportation expenses in the Île-de-France region, especially when you consider the 3 billion euros that a total fare-free policy in Île-de-France would entail, which is widely regarded as unrealistic.
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Free access quickly boosts attendance
Wherever it has been implemented, free access leads to a spectacular increase in attendance. In Dunkirk, the number of bus rides increased by 77% in the first year, and then by 130% over four years. In Châteauroux and Aubagne, attendance was also doubled, sometimes without an immediate increase in service.
In large cities, the effect is more moderate but still real. In Montpellier, where public transport became free at the end of 2023, attendance rose by 23.7% in five months. In Paris, where buses already have 227 million rides per year, the potential for growth is smaller, but free access could attract new audiences, especially occasional drivers or u.
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Free transportation and cars: a real but limited impact
Because the central issue remains, of course...the reduction of car usage, which is still very present in public spaces in Paris. In this regard, free transportation shows encouraging results, but they are not sufficient on their own.
In Dunkirk, 48% of new bus routes replace trips that were previously taken by car, which helps avoid about 5,800 tons of CO₂ per year. This accounts for nearly 3% of mobility-related emissions in the area. However, a significant portion of these new trips also comes at the expense of walking or biking, which limits the environmental benefits.
Therefore, free public transport is only truly effective when paired with measures that restrict car use: reducing parking, creating dedicated lanes, lowering speed limits, or pedestrianizing areas.
Les transports gratuits, une bonne idée ?
— Bon Pote (@BonPote) October 9, 2024
La réponse ne va pas vous plaire : c'est compliqué.
On continue sur Bon Pote à analyser les solutions pour la transition écologique, notamment pour les transports qui représentent pour 34% des émissions en France.https://t.co/i7cptVyfr8
In Paris, a measure now integrated into the socialist project
Originally championed by David Belliard (The Ecologists), the proposal for free buses has since been incorporated into the municipal project of Emmanuel Grégoire (PS), to which the deputy for mobility has joined. This is part of a bigger strategy aimed at boosting the effectiveness of the network, including the creation of 40 additional kilometers of bus lanes and the generalization of traffic signal priority measures.
The goal is both practical and political: to make the bus faster, clearer, and more appealing, while easing the acceptance of policies aimed at reducing the space taken by cars. In simple terms, to provide a credible alternative before further restricting cars.
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The free transportation in Paris would therefore be neither just a gift nor a magic solution but a tool among others to change travel habits. It all depends on the City's ability to incorporate it into a coherent policy, where the bus becomes a true alternative to the car.