Free public transport in Montpellier: a “success” according to the Metropolis which publishes its first attendance report

Une fréquentation en hausse de 23,7 % entre le premier trimestre 2019 et celui de 2024. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

Antisocial behaviour is also down sharply on the transport network. Travel by bicycle has also increased, while the Métropole is establishing itself as one of the leaders in the number of daily carpooling trips.

This was one of the big unknowns of the move to free public transport in the Métropole, implemented on 21 December. Would bus and tram ridership jump ? The answer is yes. Between the first quarter of 2019 – the last year of normal ridership – and that of 2024, the increase is 23.7%. “An increase has (in particular) been observed during traditionally off-peak hours, reflecting more diversified uses (leisure, sociability, etc.)“, underlines the Métropole.

Incivility down

Could this be one of the consequences of the establishment of the metropolitan transport police, which will eventually bring together 42 officers, in addition to the 82 Tam officers ?? The fact remains that incivility has fallen by 26% in five years. “119 cases were recorded, compared to 161 in the first quarter of 2019”. Attacks on Tam agents decreased the most (from 70 to 39 cases), while those against travelers increased (from 11 to 15).

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“The estimated percentage of fraud”

How the 23.7% increase in attendance was achieved? In 2019, the figure resulted from the validation of transport tickets, “corrected for a percentage of fraud estimated”. The choice of this percentage (which was not communicated by the Metropolis) is obviously very important. Especially since in 2024, it will be counting cells, placed above each door, which will analyze the attendance. A much more reliable counting system. Another point explains the increase in recorded attendance. The Metropolis gains 8,000 inhabitants per year, which makes 40,000 more between 2019 and 2024…

Cycling is also progressing

Has the increase in public transport usage been to the detriment of cycling? ? The answer is no. “The average daily number of cyclists is increasing by 16.2% in the Metropolis, and by 17.2% in Montpellier”, announces the community. Figures collected from the 38 comparable bicycle measurement points, from 2022 to 2023. It is also the result of the €150 million invested in active mobility by the Métropole.

Carpooling at the top

The carpooling offer, deployed since March 2021 by the Métropole to serve areas further away from Montpellier, is also bearing fruit. 31,652 daily journeys were made by carpooling, making the Métropole the leading area in France (excluding the Paris region). “Over the past three years, this alternative to the private car has enabled 710,000 journeys to be made for nearly 17 million kilometres”, the community specifies.

Free transport in three stages

The total free admission, effective since December 21, is the third phase. The first, valid on weekends, was launched in September 2020 and is a success. “4 million visitors were recorded in the first eight months of 2022 in the city center, i.e. 12 and 10% more than in 2020 and 2021”, announces the Metropolis. “The second phase of free transport, launched in September 2021, allowed those under 18 to save €196 per year, and those over 65 to spend €321 less”.

Secured funding

According to the Métropole, “the cost of free transport is around €30 million per year”, which is as much as the sums collected via the Mobility Payment (the tax paid by companies with at least 11 employees) in 2024. Figures to be put into perspective with the mobility policy: one billion euros, including €440 million invested in tram line 5 and €255 million for the five bustram lines. The Métropole points out that it still receives €500,000 in ticket revenue per month.

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