Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune on Tuesday called on the regions to unite to harmonize local transport prices and “take initiatives in terms of tariffs” to make them more attractive. “We also have to think about initiatives in terms of tariffs”, declared Clément Beaune before a symposium of the National Federation of Associations of Transport Users (Fnaut), referring to initiatives taken in Germany – with a ticket at 49 euros per month for all local and regional networks – in Austria or Spain to make public transport cheaper.
“I don’t have the full answer today,” he acknowledged, calling for a “harmonization of tariffs” which are essentially the responsibility of the regions. “Sometimes, in one direction or the other of a TER we do not have the same pricing, it is not entirely understandable for users”, he remarked. “There is a problem of readability, there is a problem of complexity”, underlined the minister, who wants “simpler, more attractive pricing, over time, and in particular for our young people”.
Clément Beaune recalled his goal of having a “single ticket” in two years to travel anywhere in France. He also wants to emphasize the quality of service and “all those little things that make up the daily life of a user”. A “charter of commitment” must be signed soon between the State and the SNCF. “I hope that this approach (…) can be codified, amplified, reinforced by all the organizing authorities (in this case the regions, editor’s note) so that we follow passenger information more, that we make very concrete commitments on the services that are provided on board, from cleanliness to catering if necessary”, he continued. “The desire for the train will only work if the service is there”, approved the CEO of SNCF Jean-Pierre Farandou, who readily acknowledges that “there is work to be done”.
