The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes has clarified the conditions applicable to the transfer of on-demand transport services in Alpes d’Azur. A clarification that comes after several weeks of disagreement between the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region and the Alpes d’Azur intercommunal authority over competence and funding of the scheme.
The on-demand transport (TAD) matter in Alpes d’Azur is entering a new phase. In a letter dated September 17, 2026, Jean-Marie Girier, prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, responds to Charles Ange Ginésy, president of the Alpes d’Azur intercommunal authority (CCAA). The submission, made on August 24, concerned difficulties resulting from the Region’s decision not to renew several on-demand passenger transport schemes on the intercommunal territory.
At the heart of the disagreement lies the CCAA’s assumption of the “mobility” competence, effective since July 1, 2021. The question concerns particularly services already organized by the Region before that date and the conditions for their possible transfer.
The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes recalls that the CCAA did not request the Region to transfer services that the latter was already operating before the competence transfer. Article L. 3111-5 of the Transport Code provides that the transfer of existing regional services takes place at the request of the intercommunal authority and within a timeframe agreed with the Region. A convention must then set out the terms of transfer and its financing.
Two interpretations have been opposed for several weeks
The question had given rise to different interpretations among the local authorities. In late August, the Alpes-Maritimes department and the CCAA defended another interpretation of the legal framework.
Charles Ange Ginésy, president of the department and the Alpes d’Azur intercommunal authority, relied notably on Article L. 3111-5 of the Transport Code. According to this analysis, the transfer was to be subject to a convention between the authorities concerned. « Yet nothing, neither in 2021 nor in 2026, was negotiated on this matter », the CCAA president stated at the time.
This position opposed that of Renaud Muselier. The president of the South Region believed that the CCAA’s assumption of mobility competence in 2021 now implied that the intercommunal authority would take charge of the services concerned.
The Region had also asked Charles Ange Ginésy to assume the consequences of the transfer. Renaud Muselier declared then: « It’s a simple solution. But now Mr. Ginésy must assume it without hiding behind the prefect or contestable analyses from his own services. »
The prefect’s letter clarifies the distinction between general mobility competence and the transfer of existing services. The CCAA has had the competence since 2021 to create and organize new mobility services on its territory. For services already organized by the Region, a transfer must instead be requested and organized according to the procedure provided for in the Transport Code.
In this situation, the prefect writes: « As manager of these services, the Region therefore has full ability to modify their modalities, or even to discontinue them », in the absence of a legal obligation to maintain these schemes.
The CCAA can nevertheless request the takeover of services currently organized by the Region. The request must cover all categories concerned, namely school transport, regular services and on-demand transport.
The transfer cannot therefore be limited to TAD alone. The takeover deadline must be agreed between the authorities and a convention must specify the transfer modalities as well as its financing.
On-demand transport extended by four months
This clarification comes as users in Alpes d’Azur have been granted an additional timeframe. On August 20, Charles Ange Ginésy had condemned the announced cessation on September 1 of the two on-demand transport services serving the territory. A request for consultation had also been sent to the Region.
A few days later, the Region announced a four-month extension of the TAD. This decision avoided an immediate interruption of the service. During this period, the modalities and rates were to remain unchanged. The Region also indicated that the CCAA would have to assume responsibility for financing and monitoring the scheme.
The question of financing therefore remains at the center of discussions. The Transport Code also provides for an arbitration procedure by the regional prefect in the event of disagreement between local authorities over the transfer conditions, particularly on financial modalities.
The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes also reminds that the Region remains competent for services whose scope exceeds the boundaries of the Alpes d’Azur intercommunal authority, within the framework of its competences as organizer of regional mobility.
Renaud Muselier has reacted to the prefect’s position. The president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region and delegated president of Regions of France believes that the letter confirms the legal framework defended by the Region: « I take note of the prefect’s position, which is in accordance with the law and merely recalls the framework within which each must exercise its competences. Since 2021, the Region has ensured the organization and financing of a service that is no longer its responsibility and which it could have discontinued at any time. We did not do so; we recalled the applicable framework and until June held out our hand to define the new service organization modalities. More than that, while Mr. Ginesy chose polemic, we decided in September to extend the service by 4 months and thus respond to the priority needs of residents. Today, the prefect has ruled, it is now up to the Alpes d’Azur intercommunal authority to take the lead and ensure service continuity. By constantly trying to isolate the department and the Metropolis, some end up ignoring the law that governs their respective relations and responsibilities. »
The matter must now enter a new phase. A formal transfer request could launch discussions between the CCAA and the Region on the timeline, modalities and financing of the services concerned. In the event of continued disagreement, the Transport Code provides for an arbitration procedure.
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