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Transportation: everything Emmanuel Grégoire wants to change in Paris

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The Editor

© Jagoda Bartus / Le Bonbon

Just a few more days until Emmanuel Grégoire is officially crowned Mayor of Paris this Sunday, March 29, and can finally start implementing the various measures of his program. Among these are measures that could revolutionize the daily lives of Parisians, especially when it comes to transportation.

It’s no secret to anyone that transport in Paris, whether we’re talking about cars, the metro, or bikes, has been a major issue in this municipal election. Throughout the campaign, candidates unveiled some shocking projects (hello Sarah Knafo and the return of cars to the quays) or, on the flip side, some really enticing ideas (thanks to Sophia Chikirou for her proposal to freeze Navigo fares, for example). But now that voters have spoken, and Emmanuel Grégoire is at the helm of the capital, what should we expect?


Emphasis on Soft Mobility

First and foremost, it’s no surprise that our new mayor plans to continue the tremendous efforts of Anne Hidalgo to make Paris the biking capital. Indeed, Grégoire aims to turn the capital into a 100% bike-friendly city. It’s an ambitious project, which involves a finalization of an already well-started network. The goal is simple: to make streets more accessible, but also safer, for both bike enthusiasts and pedestrians. On the agenda: end of bike lanes on sidewalks, redesigning dangerous avenues and intersections, and setting up bike schools in every district to learn how to pedal safely. And for our utmost joy, the mayor hopes to improve the Vélib network, as evidenced by his demonstration just after the announced results. And for those who love to walk, there are also some measures in the works, like the creation of 1000 pedestrian streets, and the redesign of many roads and squares in the City of Light.


A New Spot for Cars

The topic that's causing a bit of a stir regarding cars is that the mayor also wants to continue the fight started by Hidalgo, but in a more measured way. The goal? To reduce the space for cars, while considering the real concerns of Parisians. So, parking spots should be reserved for tradespeople and professionals working at home, to make their interventions easier despite the removal of many spaces. Similarly, more attractive rates should be introduced in underground parking for residents, to get vehicles underground. Finally, there's a desire to establish better logistics for deliveries, to relieve the streets and make the city more pleasant.


Rethinking Public Transport

But let's not kid ourselves, what we're really interested in here is knowing what could change in public transport. To kick things off, the elected official wants to expand the bus network by introducing 15 express lines and also improving service on the top 15 most popular lines in the region. Public transport, in general, should also be more accessible, thanks to thorough collaboration with the State and the region. On the pricing side, Emmanuel Grégoire aims to maintain free Navigo subscriptions for children, young people, seniors (under certain conditions) and people with disabilities. And finally — and this is undoubtedly the point we are most excited about — it .He announced during his campaign that he wants to set up metros all night long, starting with lines 1, 4, and 14, which are already automated. It's going to be a tough battle to get Île-de-France Mobilités, the decision-maker here, to bend, but for this matter, we're ready to fight alongside the mayor!