Since the extension of the ZFE on January 1st to Crit’Air 4 and 5 and non-category vehicles, thousands of Toulouse residents can no longer, theoretically, leave their homes. Testimonials.
Toulouse residents are not all ready to change cars. Some joined the protest. Anne-Laure, a resident of the Pradettes district, drives a 1996 petrol Clio, “which works very well”.
The EPZ entered into force in March 2022
“On the other hand, it is out of category for Crit’Air stickers, it doesn’t even have sticker 5! “says the young woman. For her as for her neighbors and many residents of her neighborhood, the ZFE is “unfair”.
“How do we get home?”
“We cannot afford to buy a recent or new vehicle, even with the aid”. Anne-Laure is a little panicked. “For those who live in the ZFE, how do we get home? Every day I take my bike to go to town, but if I want to go outside the ZFE and go home, can’t I? “.
Automatic controls announced for 2024
For now, controls are almost non-existent, but from 2024, automatic controls are announced.
Manon, a young mother who lives in the Saint-Martin-du-Touch district, also takes the risk of paying fines. Her 1998 Clio, she will not “change” it.
“I am a facilitator at the town hall of Toulouse, and therefore I may have to travel all over the city. I don’t earn enough to buy a newer car. For my baby’s medical appointments, it’s often downtown. When there are more checks, I won’t be able to go there anymore. »
Bosses worried about their employees
Marc Huze runs the Auto Supply company, located in the Gramont district of Toulouse. He is worried about his employees. “Our company is located outside the ZFE. But most of my employees live inside the ZFE,” explains the boss.
“I’m not the only one in the activity zone to sound the alarm. We are very poorly served by transport, to come from the metro it is a 2 km walk. Atlanta Avenue buses? Same, it’s a minimum of 20 minutes walk.
