The hatchet is almost buried.

Valérie Pécresse has succeeded in obtaining state aid that will allow her to continue to operate public transport in the region impoverished by the Covid-19.

However, the president of Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) considers it "very insufficient", already giving an appointment at Matignon next year.

"After several months of negotiations, the Prime Minister accepted that the State grant Ile-de-France Mobilités aid of 800 million for the year 2021, to which is added a cash aid of 274 million euros , which will be reimbursed at the start of 2022, ”IDFM announced on Monday.

The Ministry of Transport immediately pointed out that this aid, which has yet to be endorsed by Parliament, would be repayable, and does not constitute a subsidy.

Valérie Pécresse wanted 1.3 billion euros

The sum is however significantly lower than the 1.3 billion euros claimed by the president of the Ile-de-France region, but it will allow her to pay RATP and SNCF again.

The regional transport authority had indeed suspended its payments to the two public groups, for lack of money, but also to put pressure on the executive.

Highlighting the examples of neighboring countries which massively help their public transport, Valérie Pécresse demanded direct subsidies this year, and not repayable advances.

"We have always been very clear on the fact that this Covid crisis could not be paid for by users, and that it should not endanger the investments necessary for the regeneration of the network and the renewal of rolling stock", explained at the end of September his right arm, Grégoire de Lasteyrie.

A disagreement over the numbers

The shortfall in the finances of IDFM comes from the drop in the yield of the mobility payment (a tax on the payroll of companies with more than 11 employees, which represents more than 50% of IDFM's resources) and income from travelers (the ticket office represents around 30% of resources). State and IDFM do not agree, the ministry writing in particular on Monday that the mobility payment has returned to its pre-crisis level this year, when Valérie's team notes a loss of 300 million euros.

In the end, the aid granted by the government this year is deemed "very insufficient in relation to the needs of the network" and "leaves the finances of Ile-de-France Mobilités in high tension", according to IDFM.

"Under these conditions, Ile-de-France Mobilités will be forced to return to the State in 2022", a year for which it currently anticipates a loss of 730 million euros compared to pre-crisis forecasts.

IDFM predicts that the mobility payment will not return to its pre-crisis level until 2024, and that it will then yield less than expected.

Ditto for ticket sales, the effect of teleworking being estimated in the long term at 5% of fare revenues.

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  • Public transport

  • SNCF

  • Valerie Pécresse

  • Coronavirus

  • RATP

  • Paris