10 Million French People Lack Easy Access to Transportation

Almost one in six French people has no public transportation within ten minutes of their home according to a study by UFC-Que Choisir

According to the study published on November 26, 2024, by UFC-Que Choisir, approximately 10 million French people have no accessible public transportation within a ten-minute walk. This accounts for about 17% of the population. The figure rises sharply when looking at small municipalities. No less than 45% of localities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants lack bus stops or train stations.

Some regions, such as Gers, Dordogne, or Lozère, even show inaccessibility rates to transportation exceeding 60%. The association also highlights notable disparities between neighboring departments. For example, 39% of residents in Charente have no access to public transportation, compared to only 19.6% in Deux-Sèvres.

A mobility policy to reinvent

The lack of a train station nearby is a reality for 85% of residents across France. But the study also highlights a lack of cycling infrastructure. This problem is unlikely to improve as the Barnier government threatens to eliminate the Vélo Plan. This reversal further complicates life in rural areas. Less well-resourced, they struggle to develop viable alternatives to cars.

To address this situation, UFC-Que Choisir launched the campaign #LaMobilitéUnePriorité. It aims to mobilize citizens and decision-makers around “white zones of service.” The association calls for ambitious investments in public transportation, a restructuring of local funding, and better integration of mobility needs into urban planning policies.

According to them, the urgent need for territorial rebalancing is clear. Ensuring equitable access to public transportation is essential to avoid widening the gap between urban and rural areas. The goal is also to promote more sustainable mobility across the entire territory.

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