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The 2026 municipal elections have reshuffled the cards. The election of Éric Ciotti as the head of the city of Nice and Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, coupled with Bryan Masson’s election in Cagnes-sur-Mer, had direct consequences on the tramway projects. Lines T4 and T5 were at the heart of the debates.
During the campaign, Éric Ciotti presented part of his transport project. The issue of tramway lines T4 and T5 occupied a significant place in his speeches. Facing Christian Estrosi, the UDR candidate, supported by the National Rally, he outlined orientations conditioned on local electoral results.
The municipal election results have changed the situation. Éric Ciotti has been elected in Nice. Bryan Masson has also won the mayoralty of Cagnes-sur-Mer. These two victories have resolved some uncertainties while confirming choices announced during the campaign.
Towards an abandonment of the T4 line?
Tramway line 4 was supposed to connect Nice to Cagnes-sur-Mer. The project represented an estimated investment of 320 million euros. A public utility declaration had been filed, and preparatory work had been initiated. However, the major construction had not yet started.
During the campaign, Éric Ciotti linked the future of this line to the municipal election in Cagnes-sur-Mer. “I supported Bryan Masson, who had taken a reserved position on line 4. If he were elected, we would discuss this extension together, and if he were not in favor, we would not proceed.”
Bryan Masson had repeatedly opposed this project. In an earlier speech, Bryan Masson justified this opposition: “I am pragmatic on the issue, not dogmatic. […] The years have passed, dates have been announced: 2014, 2020, 2026, and now they say 2031. We must admit when we’ve been taken for a ride.” Asked about abandoning the project, the response was unambiguous: “yes.”
Instead, the Cagnes-sur-Mer municipality wants to prioritize another direction: the development of the bus network. The use of a BHNS has been presented as an alternative, marking a shift in mobility policy between Nice and the west of the metropolis.
The forthcoming decision could also impact the overall planning of the Lignes d’Azur network. The previously announced timeline, with a launch envisaged in 2030, has not been maintained. The project was halted before the main construction phase began.
The T5 line subject to consultation
Regarding the T5 line, Éric Ciotti’s position was more assertive during the campaign. The project to extend towards the Ariane was presented as a priority. “The tramway extension to the Ariane was a priority. It was a promise from Christian Estrosi unfulfilled for 18 years, resembling a form of contempt for this neighborhood.”
After the election, this direction was confirmed. The new metropolitan majority should maintain the principle of this line. The tramway’s development towards the east of Nice must be prioritized.
However, the project’s implementation has been conditioned by exchanges with the town of La Trinité. The proposed terminus implied coordination with this municipality. Éric Ciotti announced plans to open discussions in this regard.
The progress level of the T5 project, less advanced than that of the T4, allowed for some leeway. Technical and financial decisions remain to be clarified.
In this new political context, transport choices have taken a different direction. On one side, the likely abandonment of line 4 would mark a break from previous projects. The continuation of line 5 confirms a desire to continue developing the tramway but in a targeted manner.
