During the Metropolitan Council meeting on April 5, Christian Estrosi announced that line 1 would never reach Ariane and La Trinité. He provided three arguments for this: the lack of subsidies, the low ratio of the population concerned, and the strengthening of bus lines.
These arguments are misleading.
– Not receiving subsidies?! By stating this, Christian Estrosi is not being truthful, as the city has already received a subsidy. The Jospin government subsidized line 1 on the condition that the tramway would serve Ariane.
– A tramway that would concern fewer than 5,000 people per kilometer, whereas for line 3 the ratio would be 14,000?! It seems that the Mayor-President’s calculation rule changes depending on the districts. The reality is that the relevant population basin (Pasteur/Bon voyage, St André de la Roche, Ariane, La Trinité and beyond Paillon) far exceeds 30,000 inhabitants over a few kilometers. Not to mention the enormous travel needs in the Paillon valley, which is currently a problematic area in the department. The arrival of the tramway at La Trinité would significantly alleviate congestion in this sector.
– The area is served by a train station and the metropolitan lines have been strengthened?! What contempt for the population of this neighborhood! Far from being strengthened, there is no longer a direct line between Ariane and the city center. The residents of this neighborhood are forced to deal with additional breaks in their journeys.
Beyond these misleading arguments, the reality is that the Ariane – La Trinité sector is neither the Mayor-President’s electoral district nor the coastline. As such, it is not a priority for the Mayor-President…
The extension of line 1 to Ariane and La Trinité remains a priority for us. And Christian Estrosi’s misleading arguments are an additional motivation to continue advocating for this demand.
Robert Injey, PCF
