Nicknamed the Waze for transportation, the Akha app, launched just over a year ago, has been making waves on social media and on the App Store and Google Play for the past few weeks. It's a valuable tool for avoiding fines, allowing Parisians who can't afford to spend an arm and a leg on their monthly Navigo Pass to enjoy their travel with more peace of mind on the services provided by the Paris transport authority. However, this doesn’t bring joy to everyone, and Valérie Pécresse, president of IDFM, is ready to take action.
A 3-in-1 app
Created in September 2023 by Sid Ahmed Mekhiche, Akha is “more than just an entrepreneurial adventure; it’s the response of a former student from the suburbs to a daily mobility problem”. It's a platform aimed at redefining travel in
Ptddddr ya une appli qui s’appelle Akha pour signaler les contrôleurs regardez les signalements jsuis mort pic.twitter.com/fm6yCceafQ
— Pascal Le Maudit 🥷🏾 (@Super_advma) January 9, 2025
First, users can report bus, metro, tram, and RER delays. Secondly, the app has an "SOS" feature that allows users to inform others about “assaults, incivilities, and equipment failures that hinder access for people with reduced mobility”. So far, it all seems quite harmless, and we think it's even rather nice.
Finally, the central concept of the app is the Akha, named after the alarm signal used by dealers, which allows users to report the presence of inspectors or security agents at stops or on board transit, across the entire network. And that's where the problem lies, as some see it as a >encouragement to fraud, but also a prompt to hatred — especially with reports that are often insulting— which can put agents at risk.
Comment je me sens quand je suis le seul à faire des signalements Akha dans la ville (je me dois de la protéger) pic.twitter.com/8X7glfJQF1
— G (@G_then_G) January 13, 2025
IDFM Goes to War
However, the app has been experiencing a remarkable success for the past few weeks, which has led the president of IDFM to strongly object. She expresses that she is outraged by this concept, which provides help to delinquents and criminals. And Grégoire de Lasteyrie, her vice president, adds: When you give the location of the inspectors, you put them in danger, there could be ambushes against them.
Scandalisée par l'appli "Akha", qui sans vergogne se baptise du nom du signal d'alarme des dealers et vient faciliter la fraude dans les transports en localisant les contrôleurs et les forces de sécurité. Sans parler de l'aide qu'elle apporte aux délinquants et criminels...C'est… https://t.co/4rgBw9KbBn
— Valérie Pécresse (@vpecresse) January 13, 2025
To put an end to this application that some believe to be completely illegal, Valérie Pécresse announced three formal warnings sent to the founder of the application, as well as to Google and Apple who continue to offer it for download. At the same time, IDFM is also filing a complaint. In an Instagram post, Sid Ahmed Mekhiche defended himself by stating that these accusations were unfounded, and that he hopes to set up a dialogue with the transport authority to work hand in hand. A wish that seems quite optimistic to us, but why not…
