The South Region announces the extension of on-demand transport for four months in the valleys of Alpes-Maritimes. Charles Ange Ginésy however contests the financial responsibility of the Alpes d’Azur Inter-municipal Community and relies on the legal analysis of the Department and the prefect’s opinion.
The tug of war continues around on-demand transport (TAD) in Alpes-Maritimes. After announcing an extension of the scheme for four months, Charles Ange Ginésy maintains that the South Region remains responsible for the continuity and financing of the service.
President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department and of the Alpes d’Azur Inter-municipal Community (CCAA), Charles Ange Ginésy first welcomes the temporary maintenance of the scheme. « The mobilization carried out in recent weeks to preserve on-demand transport in our valleys has borne fruit: the Region is backing down from its initial decision and announces the extension of the service for four months. I am delighted for the residents, the continuity of service having always been my priority. »
A disagreement remains however on the financial question. Renaud Muselier claims that the CCAA would finance this extension entirely. A claim contested by Charles Ange Ginésy: « The President of the Region is announcing today that the CCAA would finance this extension in full: this is absolutely not the case. No agreement has been reached, especially since our inter-municipal authority does not have the financial resources to bear such a burden. »
A disagreement over on-demand transport responsibility
The president of the CCAA also recalls the position defended since the beginning of the mobilization. « From the outset, our position has been consistent: this is not about fueling controversy, but about concretely requesting the continuity of a thriving local public service, particularly necessary in rural municipalities. »
The issue also concerns the transfer of responsibility that took place in 2021. Renaud Muselier recalls that the Alpes d’Azur Inter-municipal Community had chosen to become a mobility organizing authority. The president of the South Region believes that this decision had been made freely and highlights the financing provided by the State and the Region to the local authority.
Charles Ange Ginésy puts forward a different legal interpretation. « The legal analysis of the CCAA and Department services is supported by the opinion of the Alpes-Maritimes prefect whose position is clear: article L.3111-5 of the Transport Code indicates that the transfer of responsibilities must be the subject of an agreement between the authorities. However, nothing, neither in 2021 nor in 2026 has been negotiated on this subject. »
For the president of the CCAA, this absence of an agreement leads to a clear conclusion: « It must therefore be considered in law that the CCAA bears no responsibility whatsoever for the continuity of the service and its financing. »
The announced extension therefore does not resolve the underlying disagreement. Charles Ange Ginésy is now calling for a lasting solution: « I therefore renew my request: to work together for a sustainable solution to a public service essential to our populations. »
The issue of on-demand transport in the valleys of the Alpes-Maritimes occurs in a regional context already marked by several political criticisms. The RN-UDR-I group, chaired by Franck Allisio in the Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, notably contests a contract awarded to communications agencies. The contract could reach six million euros, a potential ceiling that does not correspond to an amount already spent.
Less than two years before the next regional elections, the opposition also intends to make spending by the South Region a campaign issue. The TAD case now adds a territorial dimension to these criticisms, with an open disagreement between Renaud Muselier and Charles Ange Ginésy over responsibility and financing of a service intended for residents of the valleys.
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