French town slashes public transport costs by 60% in response to fuel crisis
A one-way bus ticket in Laval, in the Pays de la Loire region, is set to cost €0.50 instead of €1.30
The new fares will apply across Laval and the wider surrounding area
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A town in western France has cut transportation costs by 60% in an attempt to promote greener travel and support residents facing rising fuel prices.
The Laval Agglomération (Laval urban authority) announced the price reduction on May 4, which will apply from May 11 to August 31.
The new fares will apply across Laval, located in the Mayenne department, and the wider surrounding area covered by Laval Agglomération’s public transport network.
A single bus ticket is set to cost €0.50 instead of €1.30. A day ticket will be €1.50, down from €3.25, while a booklet of 10 journeys will cost €4 instead of €10. The reductions will also apply to related transport services across the network.
“By reducing the budget allocated to travel, the community fully plays its role as a social safety net, while supporting the shift towards more sustainable mobility.” stated Julien Brocail, vice-president for mobility at the Laval Agglomération, in a press release.
The scheme is estimated to cost around €150,000, excluding tax, for the four-month period.
Meanwhile, the town is also investing in longer-term changes, like the gradual introduction of electric buses and the expansion of its bicycle hire initiative.
The aim is to make everyday travel more affordable while also reducing the environmental impact of transport in the region.
