The campaign for the June 9 vote on parking policy is launched in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It was the “yes” camp that decided to shoot first, six weeks before the popular verdict.
Winner of the municipal elections, the Chaux-de-Fondière left is supported by the Transport and Environment Association, the Climate Strike, the WWF, Swiss Pedestrian Mobility and Pro Velo Neuchâtel. The TCS is not in this group, but does not oppose the change proposed by the City and fought by referendum.
“Get out of the car’s automation”
This committee recalls that commuters had to make an effort in 2020, and it believes that this time, it is the turn of Chaux-de-Fonniers. The latter are, according to the latest traffic studies (which date from 2010), the main responsible (at 65%) of motorized traffic in the city. In terms of mobility, La Chaux-de-Fonds “is lagging behind” and it is “a question of moving away from the automatism of the car”, argues the committee.
“Only a constraint on the car allows a modal shift,” says popist Maximilien Cugnet. He believes that La Chaux-de-Fonds cannot just wait for a more attractive public transport offer to fall into its lap; it is up to the watchmaking metropolis to change its habits.
This constraint on the car is this proposal to divide it into eight zones, with a first optional sticker at 40 francs to be able to park for an unlimited period in your neighborhood on public property and a second sticker (equally optional) to have the right to park your car, for example next to your work, in another area. Remember that this sesame would cost 750 francs, more expensive than a public transport subscription. But an assessment could lead to adapting this pricing, “particularly for low-income people”, believes socialist Laurent Duding.
Free for the nursing community
The committee in favor of “yes” specifies that the parking offer is not limited to the two badges and that the prices are “significantly cheaper than elsewhere”. He also reminds that businesses can purchase buttons at a price of 240 francs and that representatives of the paramedical field will benefit from free parking on public property.
The Municipal Council of La Chaux-de-Fonds will communicate on May 15. But Patrick Herrmann, who carried this file for two years, summarized the executive’s position for us: the parking policy is in some way part of a deal with the Confederation. This finances future road bypasses, but it waits for the City itself to take measures to relieve congestion on its streets. Patrick Herrmann adds that this new parking regime will allow La Chaux-de-Fonds to come closer to the requirements of the Confederation and the Canton in terms of CO2 emissions. /vco
