The rail move won’t be “operational” in 2024, as a result of lack of settlement from a number of areas, says the Minister of Transport | EUROtoday

The implementation of a summer season rail move, reserved for younger individuals, can’t happen this yr, until there’s a final minute change of coronary heart from three areas which haven’t given their settlement, introduced on Wednesday April 3, the Minister Delegate for transport, Patrice Vergriete.

“Unless there is a change of direction from the regional presidents, even today, we cannot be operational in 2024 (…) there will be no rail pass this summer »said the minister on Franceinfo.

“We still do not have the agreement of all the regional presidents. Three regional presidents are missing »he added, citing “Hervé Morin [Normandie]Xavier Bertrand [Hauts-de-France] and Laurent Wauquiez [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes] » and saying they regret a “attitude without explanation”. The areas finance regional trains and determine on fares.

“The government remains open”

According to Mr. Vergriete, the federal government accepted, on the request of the areas, that the State finance 80% of the system, estimated at 15 million euros. The areas had already managed to order the rail move for underneath 27s throughout the summer season season.

The introduction of this month-to-month move permitting limitless journey inside the territory by Intercités and TER trains, impressed by the German instance, was promised by the president, Emmanuel Macron, in September. “Of course, the government remains open and we will continue to make these proposals for 2025”mentioned Patrice Vergriete, who “don’t want to give up”.

A summer season rail move completely reserved for younger individuals already existed in France in 2020 and 2021. It involved under-27s, who, for 29 euros monthly, may borrow any TER anyplace in France – besides in Ile-de-France. -France –, however not the Intercités.