Even cheaper than the sales… This Saturday, January 14, buses will not be at -10, -50 or -80% in Montluçon (Allier), but indeed free. This is an operation proposed by Maelis, network manager, and validated by Montluçon Communauté, which takes the initiative at its financial expense.
The reason for the operation
“Do the sales with Maelis, it’s free! “, is it thus written on the various communication media of the urban transport network. “The objective is to support merchants and encourage them to buy from them, especially those in the city center,” explains Marie Bivert, marketing manager for Maelis sur Montluçon. “And then it can also allow the inhabitants of the territory who are not used to using our network to be able to test it… And why not adopt it”, she adds.
“There is no need to be a subscriber with us, it will be free for everyone on all lines. »
Marie Bivert (marketing manager at Maelis Montluçon)
As for the choice of this Saturday, January 14, it owes nothing to chance. “The sales period is important, it attracts people to town and to the stores,” argues Marie Bivert. “Not to mention that, with the work on the Saint-Pierre bridge, the bus can be an alternative to the car and thus make the network speak positively”.
Other dates to come?
In short, a win-win. “It sends a positive signal to users and merchants at a time when they are lacking a little,” agrees Françis Nouhant, vice-president responsible for transport in the agglomeration. “It encourages people to take public transport to shop in nearby shops.”
A first “positive” test took place on December 18 for the last Sunday before Christmas. That of this Saturday will be the second. “And we have already targeted other dates in the year,” concludes Marie Bivert.
Text: Luc Barre
Photos : archives Florian Salesse
