Jean Moucheboeuf (elected from the RN) organized an informational meeting about a town hall project. This project involves creating a future high-service level bus (BHNS) between North Nice and the city center, which would significantly impact the affected neighborhoods.
Since the town hall only organized a “meeting” via videoconference on Monday, with fewer than forty people attending, the municipal and metropolitan councilor took it upon himself to gather the residents. He communicated extensively about this meeting, and it was a success. Seventy people from Nice attended to learn about this project, ask questions, and express their opinions. The room was packed.
Explanations
The city aims to create a high-service level bus by 2023, between Saint Sylvestre and Old Nice. A study is being conducted to extend it to Fontaine du Temple Square and the Exhibition Palace. The complete dossier is available on the nice.fr website. This bus will be electric, long, fast, and will run every eight minutes.
This is the most frequent service proposed by Lignes d’Azur. However, the existing buses are already regular and always full regardless. Line 23 is expected to disappear. An additional bus would be useful, but this BHNS will transform the neighborhood.
Drawbacks
Economically, this project is expected to cost a fortune, which could be used elsewhere.
Furthermore, the goal is to continue to drive out motorists. Parking spaces will be reduced. Traffic will be affected, as one lane will be removed from each side at North Gambetta.
Cars will have to shift to adjacent streets, as is already the case at South Gambetta. The planned park-and-ride at Tzarewitch particularly worries local residents.
The other park-and-ride will be on Goiran Square, underground. Its construction will lead to major works, while the terminus is currently undergoing deep reconstruction. Both are expected by 2025, and will only be accessible for leaving one’s car and taking the bus instead. They will not solve any existing parking problems.
The current bike lane on Gambetta will be extended northward, on the bus-exclusive lanes. Thus, there are concerns about cyclists’ safety.
The town hall presents this project as environmentally friendly, yet it plans to cut down at least 63 trees and to reduce the sidewalk on North Gambetta.
Give Your Opinion
There’s only until Thursday evening to participate in the town hall’s consultation by sending an email to concertation.bhns-nice@nicecotedazur.org.
