Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete announced on Wednesday, April 3, that the implementation of a summer rail pass reserved for young people will not take place this year unless there is a last-minute change of heart from three regions that have not yet given their approval. The Minister confirmed that without the agreement of all regional presidents, the summer rail pass will not be operational in 2024. The regions, which fund regional trains and set ticket prices, are waiting on the approval of Hervé Morin from Normandy, Xavier Bertrand from Hauts-de-France, and Laurent Wauquiez from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The government has agreed to finance 80% of the cost of the summer rail pass, which is estimated to be 15 million euros, at the request of the regions. The pass, which allows unlimited travel on Intercity and TER trains across the country, was initially proposed by President Emmanuel Macron in September. Despite the setback, Minister Vergriete stated that the government remains open to continuing discussions and making proposals for the implementation of the rail pass in 2025. The Minister expressed his determination to see the project through, despite the current challenges.
The summer rail pass, exclusively for young people, was previously available in France in 2020 and 2021. The pass, which was reserved for individuals under 27 years old, allowed them to travel on any TER train throughout the country for a monthly fee of 29 euros, excluding Ile-de-France. However, Intercity trains were not included in the pass. The Minister remains optimistic about the future of the pass and hopes to bring it back for young travelers in the coming years.
The rejection of the summer rail pass for 2024 highlights the importance of collaboration between the government and regional authorities in France. While efforts were made to secure funding and support for the pass, the lack of agreement from three key regions ultimately led to the delay of the project. Minister Vergriete’s commitment to continuing discussions for the implementation of the pass in 2025 demonstrates the government’s willingness to explore alternative solutions and work towards providing affordable and accessible transportation options for young people.
The decision to postpone the summer rail pass also sheds light on the challenges of securing funding and approval for large-scale transportation projects. Despite facing obstacles in the implementation of the pass, Minister Vergriete remains dedicated to finding a solution and remains open to further negotiations with regional authorities. The setback serves as a learning opportunity for future transportation initiatives, emphasizing the importance of coordination and cooperation between different levels of government to successfully implement innovative transportation policies for the benefit of all citizens.
