800 Million Euros for Transportation: Who Benefits?

This Tuesday, the Minister of Transport detailed the €800 million allocated to transportation in the 2023 finance bill.

After a 49.3 vote, we now know the details of the 2023 finance bill and the section concerning transportation. In the columns of the Échos, this Tuesday, Minister Clément Beaune explained how this budget would be used. The additional €800 million envelope for transport was added for 2023.

€500 million reserved for public transport

During his speech, the minister announced that €500 million should be allocated to public transportation. Within this amount, it is to include “€300 million for transport authorities, including €200 million for IDFM (Île-de-France Mobilités)”.

“The urgency is for the Region to restore decent transportation in Île-de-France“, he announced in response to the rising price of the Navigo pass. Starting January 1, 2023, the fare for Île-de-France will increase by 12% to reach €84.10 per month for zones 1 to 5, up from €75.20 currently, an increase of €8.90.

€100 million are allocated for road and bridge maintenance. €90 million are reserved for rail transport and the funding of the three LGV (high-speed train lines). The lines involved connect Marseille to Nice, Montpellier to Perpignan, and Toulouse to Bordeaux. The carpooling program benefits from €150 million, while the bicycle project is allocated €100 million.

The government is on track

Out of the €800 million, the minister had already announced €300 million for regional public transport. These funds are to finance €150 million for the Transport Infrastructure Financing Agency. It indicates that €100 million should be used to “renovate the rail network”. Clément Beaune declared that increasing resources dedicated to the rail network was a priority, “our network has been neglected for the past thirty years. Expanding the effort made over the past five years is my budgetary priority”, he announced.

Finally, €20 million will serve to soundproof airports. Many residents suffer from aircraft traffic, especially more sensitive since the post-Covid-19 recovery.

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