The implementation of a summer rail pass, reserved for young people, cannot take place this year, unless there is a last minute change of heart from three regions which have not given their agreement, announced on Wednesday April 3, the Minister Delegate for transport, Patrice Vergriete.
“Unless there is a change of direction from the regional presidents, today, we cannot be operational in 2024 (…) there will be no rail pass this summer,” the minister said on Franceinfo.
“We still do not have the agreement of all the regional presidents. Three regional presidents are missing,” he added, citing “Hervé Morin [Normandy], Xavier Bertrand [Hauts-de-France] and Laurent Wauquiez [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]” and saying he regretted a “ attitude without explanation”. The regions finance regional trains and decide on fares.
“Government remains open.”
According to Mr. Vergriete, the government accepted, at the request of the regions, that the State finance 80% of the system, estimated at 15 million euros. The regions had already managed to reserve the rail pass for under-27s during the summer season.
The introduction of this monthly package allowing unlimited travel within the territory by Intercités and TER trains, inspired by the German example, was promised by the president, Emmanuel Macron, in September. “Of course, the government remains open and we will continue to make these proposals for 2025,” said Patrice Vergriete, who “does not want to give up.”
A summer rail pass exclusively reserved for young people already existed in France in 2020 and 2021. It concerned those under 27, who, for 29 euros per month, could borrow any TER anywhere in France – except in Ile-de-France. -France –, but not the Intercités.
