The advancement of the Urban Mobility Plan (UMP) has just been the subject of a public presentation. It calls for a number of remarks from us.
The analysis focuses mainly on the coastal area. Even though it’s logical considering the flow, transportation policies towards the hinterland must be integrated since the metropolitan territory has included a part of the inland area. However, only two out of ten residents in the mid and high country use public transportation.
The analysis insufficiently highlights the issue of peri-urban and inter-urban travel from Sophia-Antipolis, Cannes, or Monaco. Yet these journeys are increasing and are the most concerning in terms of sustainable mobility, compared to the internal trips within the Metropolis which are decreasing according to the results of the latest household survey.
The analysis takes little account of transport pricing, especially multimodal transportation. The Region, from the beginning of 2012, offered to work on this topic to create a combined subscription for TER / urban transport.
The document shows that the Metropolis is not sufficiently involved in the Company Travel Plans in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which are a means to change behavior and adjust transport services. The areas of Sophia-Antipolis, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Carros, Monaco, and the Eco-Vallée National Interest Operation are particularly affected.
Finally, investments are not sufficiently highlighted in this document (Saint Augustin multimodal hub, rehabilitation of the Nice-Thiers SNCF station, modernization of the Provence Railways, impact of the 3rd coastal lane, tram line 2, future high-speed rail line). These investments will have an impact on the Metropolis’ automobile traffic, particularly the high-speed rail under two aspects:
– The improvement of the rail system on the coastal axis between Marseille, Toulon, Nice, and Monaco;
– The capacity that will be freed up on the current railway line which will allow for a denser TER service.
Patrick ALLEMAND
Municipal Councilor
President of the Group Change of Era
