{"id":216596,"date":"2024-02-12T12:15:15","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T10:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/2024\/02\/trains-buses-car-parks-on-demand-transport-monacos-major-mobility-projects\/"},"modified":"2024-02-12T12:34:19","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T10:34:19","slug":"trains-buses-car-parks-on-demand-transport-monacos-major-mobility-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2024\/02\/trains-buses-car-parks-on-demand-transport-monacos-major-mobility-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Trains, buses, car parks, on-demand transport… Monaco’s major mobility projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Ministry of State was the venue for the presentation of the Mobility Plan in and around Monaco on Friday 9 February.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

“The plan constitutes a cohesive set of operations and proposals that are feasible, financeable and effective.”<\/em> Before handing over to C\u00e9line Caron-Dagioni, Pierre Dartout pointed out that the plan, for 2024 and beyond “sets out ambitions, not dreams.”<\/em> “We are going to present the results of a lengthy but efficient project that has taken over 2 years, given that we couldn’t do it alone,”<\/em> began the Minister of State, illustrating the headache that the issue of mobility in the Principality has been and continues to be, and the agreements that needed to be reached with France to find a certain number of solutions.<\/p>\n\n

The ‘TER’, essential for workers<\/h2>\n\n

While the roads leading into Monaco feel more congested than ever, the figures show a slight decrease in the number of people entering and leaving the country every day. In 2023, the annual average was 98,392 entries and exits, compared with 107,738 9 years earlier, in 2015. “This may seem counter-intuitive. What explains this impression of gridlock is, in particular, the fact that the approach to the town has shifted to the west side of the Principality. The downhill tunnel <\/em>(Tunnel Albert II, Ed.) has found its customer base’,” says C\u00e9line Caron-Dagioni, Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development.<\/p>\n\n

As the “only real solution”<\/em> to the massive congestion on the roads leading into Monaco, the Regional Express Train (TER) is a key concern for the Monegasque Government.\u00a0 The Principality is a major SNCF customer, as is the Monegasque station, which reached peak passenger numbers in 2023 (7,800,000 passengers compared with 7,500,000 in 2019). “It’s efficient, low-carbon, and attracts a large number of passengers,<\/em>” adds the Minister, speaking of the TER, “the key to managing cross-border traffic.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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Footfall at Monaco station since 2001. \u00a9 Prince’s Government<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Monaco continues to invest in rail traffic<\/h2>\n\n

After a low point – during which Monaco “stopped paying<\/em>” because the service provided by the SNCF was not commensurate with the investment – and a reprimand from the Monegasque executive, discussions are well underway with the Government’s three contacts: SNCF Voyageurs<\/em>, SNCF Gare & Connexions<\/em> and SNCF R\u00e9seaux<\/em>. For the 2024 budget, the priority will be investment in the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System<\/em>). “It’s essential, it’s the system that will enable us to increase train frequency.”<\/em> The Minister referred in particular to the issue of duplex trains, which could be resolved with the ERTMS. “They don’t arrive at the station at the right time, so they leave empty. 10 minutes later, the platform is packed with commuters.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n

At the request of SNCF R\u00e9seaux, Monaco is investing \u20ac11 million in this electronic system. And in return, a request from the Principality was that maintenance for Monegasque trains should be carried out in Nice and not Marseille, as is currently the case. <\/p>\n\n

The timings also coincide with the change of rail operator that the Southern Region opted for in 2021, following the launch of a call for tenders. It is the first region where SNCF no longer has a monopoly. “The President of <\/em>R\u00e9gion Sud will be coming to meet us so that we can share our objectives and ensure that the transition to this new operator is as efficient as possible,”<\/em> the Minister concluded. The handover between SNCF and Transdev, the new operator, will take place next year. A more frequent, more punctual service is promised.<\/p>\n\n

The new Les Salines car park <\/h2>\n\n

Another solution mentioned by C\u00e9line Caron-Dagioni was “the management of our peripheral car parks.”<\/em> With just over 1,820 spaces, the Les Salines car park will soon be completed, near the Jardin Exotique, before the Monaco Grand Prix. The Minister said the aim will be “mixed use.”<\/em> Tourists, workers from Monaco itself and beyond, and local season ticket holders who do not have private car parks, will be able to park there. “We are working on pricing that would work as an incentive to encourage some workers to relocate there rather than clogging up city centre car parks.” <\/em><\/p>\n

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Overall view of the car park and bus station from the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique. \u00a9 Prince’s Government<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

And to facilitate access to the centre of Monaco for future occupants of the car park, it will have a bus station served by two new Express bus routes. These buses, run by the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM), will only stop at two or three points on the route, to enable workers to get to their place of work quickly. And as an incentive, the Minister is talking about a future “package” whereby a car park season ticket will entitle holders to a dozen bus tickets. An underground pedestrian link will complete access to the car park, providing a direct link to the Fontvieille district.<\/p>\n\n