The Nice citizen assembly “Viva! Democracy, Ecology, Solidarity” denounces an anti-social and climate-damaging measure by the Metropolis. Its representatives call for free public transportation throughout the network.
“YES to free transport! NO to fare increases,” is the demand of the citizen group. The transport network *Lignes d’Azur* announced last December a comprehensive reorganization plan and a *price increase from July 1, 2023* aiming to achieve 25 million euros in savings in response to *inflation*. Fares had not changed since 2013.
The price of a single tram and bus ticket will increase from *€1.50 to €1.70* (+13.33%). The annual subscription will also rise by the same rate, going from €326.50 to €360. The €10 card allowing 10 trips will no longer exist, another increase that makes the collective react: “To continue benefiting from the €1 fare, you will need to purchase a 50-trip card… for €50.”
“An anti-social and climate-damaging measure”
David Nakache, president of the *Tous citoyens!* association, denounces a measure both “anti-social and climate-damaging” going against the trajectory set by the *Climate Plan* adopted by *the Nice Metropolis*. With his colleagues, he launches a *petition* to alert citizens and users and demands the cancellation of the planned increases.
Robert Injey, a co-list member of *Viva!* in the last *municipal elections* and former communist elected official, declares that maintaining the €10 card would be a measure of “social justice.” Social justice goes hand in hand with *climate justice* for the collective. David Nakache calls the metropolis’s plan an “ecological aberration” that would make tramways “discouraging,” while he believes they are the “main lever to abandon the car for short trips.”
Gaël Nofri, president of the *Lignes d’Azur* management, defends necessary changes in the inflationary context by inviting users to adopt the most wallet-friendly solution for users, switching to the annual subscription.
