Flat rate rail pass could be introduced in France next summer

A flat rate train pass for unlimited travel could become a reality as early as next summer.

President Macron said that he was “very favourable” for such a pass during an interview with Youtuber HugoDecrypte and the idea received immediate support from France’s Transport Minister Clément Beaune.

Mr Beaune, talking to Télématin, has now stated that while the pass would be heavily subsidised by the regional councils, it would be national, “for everyone, all over the country”.

“The idea is that anyone would be able to use this pass, irrespective of their age, to travel anywhere for a flat rate, and hopefully with coordination from the bus and metro systems in large cities,” he said.

Negotiations between the various regions and municipalities should begin in September, with Mr Beaune hopeful that a deal can be reached before next summer.

Read also: Paris to Berlin night train returns from December 12

While the minister could not say exactly how much a flat rate rail pass would cost, he agreed that a price of around €49 per month is realistic, conceding that the regions would have to have their say on the price.

The move follows the success of Germany’s flat rate transport fare.

However, what the regions say may not please the minister, with Franck Dhersin, vice president of the Hauts-de-France region tweeting:

“The president often has these really clever ideas, but really should stop having ideas about how regions should spend their money.”

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