Municipal Elections 2026 in Nice: Christian Estrosi wants to set up a bus line on the A8

As part of the municipal election campaign, a new highway link via the A8 motorway is being proposed to connect the east and west of Nice. The project is accompanied by a set of measures on transport, parking and mobility.

As municipal elections approach, Christian Estrosi presented a new measure from his municipal election program focused on mobility. The proposal concerns the creation of a bus line using the A8 motorway. The stated objective is to provide fast transit across the city, while limiting the impact of urban traffic.

Christian Estrosi declared: “I am committed to creating, from September 1st, a new bus line using the A8 motorway. Transversal to the tramway lines, it will constitute a true ‘Nice shortcut’, allowing you to cross the city from east to west in record time, without suffering the constraints of urban traffic. It will link Pont-Michel to CADAM by serving exits connected to the tramway network and park-and-ride facilities — Garigliano, Nice Nord, Nice Ouest, CADAM — with a frequency of 10 minutes. Linking Pont-Michel to Nice Nord in just six minutes, compared to 45 today, is a concrete change in the daily lives of Nice residents. We will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and offer a fast and ecological alternative to individual cars. This transversal line is an immediate response to the expectations of residents.”

The announced line must link Pont-Michel to CADAM via exits connected to the tramway network and park-and-ride facilities Garigliano, Nice Nord, Nice Ouest and CADAM with a frequency of ten minutes. The travel time between Pont-Michel and Nice Nord is estimated at six minutes, compared to forty-five today according to the outgoing mayor.

This proposal is part of a broader program dedicated to mobility. Free public transport from the first day of retirement for residents of the Metropolis is among the measures put forward. This provision would extend the free fares already in place for children under 11.

The development of the tramway network also plays an important role in the project. Line 5 to La Trinité is intended to relieve congestion in the Paillon valley and serve Turin Road and the Ariane district. Line 4 is to link Nice to Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cap 3000 and Cagnes-sur-Mer, with the stated objective of reducing incoming traffic on the west side of the city.

All-night tramways on weekends, with security teams on board, are also mentioned. This extension of schedules aims to support night-time travel, particularly during weekend evenings.

Additional parking spaces

Parking is another part of the program. Three thousand additional spaces are announced in several sectors of the city: Vauban (500 spaces), Madeleine (320 spaces), Fodéré (250 spaces), Wilson (400 spaces), Carlone (280 spaces), Gambetta Nazareth (280 spaces), T5 Garigliano (500 spaces), the cleaning district (500 spaces) and René Cassin (200 spaces). The end ofpaid parking at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. is among the proposals designed to facilitate resident parking.

An application called “Fast and Fourrière” is to be launched to combat parking violation stickers and parking deemed bothersome or dangerous. The project also includes the redevelopment of certain parking areas, including Maioun dou Ray and Chéret.

The program mentionsthe new bioclimatic multimodal station at Saint-Augustin. This infrastructure is to connect the airport, the tramway, the bus station and soft mobility. Strengthening service on the Chemins de fer de Provence is mentioned, with a train every quarter hour and a doubling of the capacity of the Train des Pignes.

Urban elevators are planned to connect Las Planas and Saint-Barthélemy to tramway line 1. A bicycle plan is to develop cycling connections, launch a long-term rental service and create secure shelters.

A maritime shuttle between Nice and Cap d’Ail is also among the proposals in order to limit traffic to the Principality. Several road work operations are mentioned, including widening Chemin de Saquier, developing Avenue de Fabron with a pedestrian path and continuing work on the upper Chemin de Crémat. Improvements are announced to reduce speed on Avenue de Rimiez.