"Rail pass" : how the unlimited train pass for 49 euros survived a standoff with the regions
Almost buried on Wednesday April 3 in the morning, the “rail pass” regained color at the end of the day. This promise from Emmanuel Macron could finally see the light of day this summer, announced Patrice Vergriete, but in a largely revised formula and on an experimental basis. This is a small victory for the minister, who had earlier alerted Franceinfo about a possible cancellation of this measure with ecological and social aims, accusing three regions of blocking negotiations. The pass should allow 700,000 young people under the age of 27 to travel unlimited aboard regional trains for a flat rate of 49 euros per month, between June and September. Franceinfo explains to you the ins and outs of the political standoff between the executive and the regions, which has left its mark on the modalities of the measure.
Interviewed on September 4, 2023 by YouTuber Hugo Travers on the unlimited train offer for 49 euros per month created in Germany on May 1, 2023, Emmanuel Macron promises the creation of“a similar service in the coming months”. “All regions that are ready to do it with the State, bank”he says in a sequence devoted to his commitments to ecology.
The launch of the “rail pass” is then confirmed by the Ministry of Transport and scheduled for summer 2024. Clément Beaune, predecessor of Patrice Vergriete, then promises a service which would allow any traveler, whatever their age, to use unlimited regional train network in France (TER and Intercités, but not TGV) for a price of 49 euros, like in Germany.
This promise suffered a serious blow at the beginning of March, in the face of regions very worried about the additional financial costs and the management of passenger flows. After discussions, Patrice Vergriete, who replaced Clément Beaune in January, finally buried the idea of a package for all valid all year round: the “rail pass” for all becomes a summer device reserved for young people.
A month later, the government reveals that even this new formula pass is threatened. “Unless there is a change of direction from the regional presidents, even today, we cannot be operational”affirms the Minister Delegate in charge of Transport, Wednesday morning, on franceinfo. “Three regional presidents are missing (…) Hervé Morin [centriste, Normandie]Xavier Bertrand [LR, Hauts-de-France] and Laurent Wauquiez [LR, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]“points out Patrice Vergriete, concluding on a pessimistic note: “There will be no ‘rail pass’ this summer.”
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