• The entire TAN network will be accessible free of charge this weekend and the following ones.

  • The objective is to encourage the use of public transport and to facilitate access to city centers.

It was a campaign promise that comes true.

Public transport in the Nantes metropolis will be free every weekend from Saturday, recalls Nantes metropolis.

Concretely, the entire Semitan network (buses, trams, chronobus, navibus) will henceforth be free on Saturdays and Sundays *.

The same will apply to park-and-ride facilities ** and TER journeys within the metropolitan area.

This free admission will apply to all travelers, including non-subscribers and residents outside the Nantes metropolitan area.

"It's better for the climate and better for purchasing power," explains Johanna Rolland, PS mayor of Nantes.

The measure, already tested in Montpellier since September, is also designed to "facilitate access to shops in town centers".

The frequencies will be reinforced

But such a decision is not of consequence for the finances of the community. First of all, there is a shortfall linked to the lack of revenue on Saturdays to Sundays: zero purchase of tickets, reduction in the price of subscriptions… This shortfall is thus estimated at 6 million euros per year, confides Nantes Métropole. . A loss to which must be added an additional operating cost of 3.5 million euros per year insofar as the usual service will be strengthened to meet a probably higher attendance. That is a total of 9.5 million euros per year less in the Nantes metropolitan area. For the year 2021, already started, the measure should cost 5 million euros to the community.

Initially, the transport offer will not be reassessed on weekends, given the travel restrictions linked to the health crisis.

But from September 4, the frequencies of tram lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the busway, as well as lines C2 and C3 of the chronobus will be increased on Saturdays and Sundays.

From December 4, lines C1, C6, C20, as well as buses 10, 12 and 54 will also be reinforced, if attendance is as expected.

In Montpellier, transport use has increased significantly since the weekend was made free.

"Taxes will increase" worries the right

For Laurence Garnier (LR), leader of the municipal opposition in Nantes, this free Saturday and Sunday is a "demagogic lure".

"The inhabitants will be duped because this gift that they are given will be taken back tomorrow when taxes will increase", predicts the elected.

She is also worried about a possible slowdown in future investments in the TAN network.

"We cannot on the one hand reduce revenues and on the other launch investments, that does not hold water," she said.

During the municipal campaign, voices were also raised to demand total free public transport, including during the week.

Johanna Rolland replied that this idea would cost too much, "70 million euros per year", and that it would risk reducing the use of the bicycle.

* With the exception of the airport shuttle and the carpool'TAN service.

** As soon as travelers have validated their Libertan card or their P + R ticket. Validation will not result in payment.

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