For weeks, the president of Île-de-France Mobilités, Valerie Pecresse (LR), accuses the government of not financially supporting Parisian transport. Without an increase in the company contribution or a contribution from the state, the Navigo tariff will have to be increased at 90 euros per month, as early as January, he warns. In response, the government reminds the president of the region that it alone deals with transport prices. A “ping-pong game” denounced by Stéphane Troussel (PS), president of the Seine-Saint-Denis department.
Is an increase in Navigo avoidable?
STEFANO TROUSSEL. In the midst of a purchasing power crisis, public transport users do not have to bear the brunt of the bickering between the state and the region. This show has to end. The price of the Navigo, given the current difficulties and the low quality of the current offer, should be frozen. For months, from one interview to another, Valérie Pécresse has been releasing figures: 100 euros, 80 euros… Now it’s 90! You tell us that the increase would be inevitable. However, the priority for everyone should be to preserve users’ purchasing power.
So who is responsible? State or region?
The State and the Region must put an end to this ping-pong game. It’s unbearable. Their only concern is who will take responsibility for this increase. The president of the LR region calls for an increase in the mobility allowance for companies. And it is his friends, LR senators, who oppose it with the government’s blessing. Frankly, this Mistigri game is enough. We are talking about a transport network used by 10 million people every day. A network which is the engine of economic activity in Île-de-France. Companies need transportation to operate, they also need to put their hands in their pockets.
What should have been implemented to not come to this?
This situation, no one finds out. It has been recorded for months in the post-Covid context. Added today inflation and purchasing power crisis. All the municipalities of Île-de-France have decided to increase their annual contribution to Île-de-France Mobilités by 7.5%. Seine-Saint-Denis will add 3.7 million euros, for a total of over 50 million per year. Let’s assume our role as a social shield in the current period. The Region and the State must stop gossiping. This game is annoying. The region must mobilize its resources. And the state must make an effort. The President of the Republic cannot announce the RER anywhere in France on Monday and not have season-ticket holders on Tuesday for transport in the capital region.
