PARIS — In an effort to encourage greener travel, Clément Beaune, France’s transport minister, announced a new reduced-price monthly rail pass to be introduced in summer 2024 across the country, according to a story in the Guardian.
The pass, modeled after the similar and highly successful program offered in Germany, will cost around €49 (US $52.50), says Beaune. It will permit unlimited travel on TER regional trains and intercity trains. Like the German pass, which does not include high-speed intercity express trains, travel on France’s high-speed TGV will not be covered by the French pass.
France is to launch a cut-price monthly rail pass valid on certain trains nationwide next summer, copying a hugely successful move in Germany to encourage greener travel.
“It will be simple,” says Beaune. “The French, irrespective of their age, can buy this pass and have unlimited travel on an intercity or TER for a flat, inexpensive price.”
“If possible” the French pass would also cover local travel by bus, metro and tram within cities, Beaune says.
The pass idea has met some opposition. Franck Dhersin, vice president of the northern Hauts-de-France region in charge of transport, says the “president often has good ideas … [but] it’s your idea and you can finance it”.
The French pass announcement comes following another move encouraging green travel, the Austrian rail operator ÖBB has announced it would run a night train between Paris and Berlin, starting in December [see “Climate-friendly train travel expands between Germany and France,” News Wire, Sept. 7, 2023].
This will be a boon for travel before, during and after the 2024 Paris Olympics!
Quite a grand boon indeed!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Long live the passenger rail service à la française!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün