One year of free transport in Montpellier: what users say, testimonies in a train on line 1

Des usagers globalement satisfaits. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

Attendance, journey length, safety, free transport: users tell us how they experience free public transport for the past year in Montpellier.  

It's hard to find disgruntled users on tram line 1 at the end of December, early in the afternoon, between Comédie and Hôtel de Ville. Gisèle, 21, arrived in Montpellier in September. A student at ArtFX since the start of the school year, she is delighted not to have to pay for her transport. “There are trams every ten minutes. In my city in Germany, there's a bus every hour.”

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Robbie also appreciates the “budget boost”. This mother of four is a daily user. “My husband gives up the car for the tram, which is faster during rush hour between Port-Marianne and Château d'O.” It's not as fast as the metro in Paris, but she enjoys the view. Sitting next to her mother and her baby in a stroller, she hasn't noticed any change in the safety aspect. “You always have to be careful, but I haven't seen anything change. It's reassuring to see the transport police, I see police sometimes too.” What bothers her is the disruptions in the event of roadworks… “but it's necessary”.

Moussa, 22, footballer at AS Atlas Paillade, sees nothing wrong with it. “The tram is easy to use, I don't think the service has deteriorated with the free service. It's good for my budget. If a train is too busy, I take the next one. I see the police from time to time, it's good.”

Brigitte, retired, is delighted to no longer take the car “at all. I don't drive anymore, it suits me”. She just finds the time a little long during her journeys between La Rauze and the hospital.

Sandra takes the tram less often, but she is more critical. Living in the metropolis, she refuses to take the car, train and tram to get to work. “It's too long, not suitable.” She agrees that the trambus could be the solution. Unlike her, Véronique has changed her habits. No more chaos of morning traffic jams. Her day now starts with a little more serenity.

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