End of “market” bus lines in Seine-Maritime “for the good use of public funds”

Since 2017, the Normandy Region has supported circuits dedicated to weekly markets, offers specific to certain territories, notably in Seine-Maritime such as line 539 serving Gournay-en-Bray. This ended on December 31, 2024, leaving users waiting.

A study to measure effectiveness

Since January 1, 2025, on-demand transport has replaced the market bus. Regular travelers from the Pays de Bray point out “the end of a service to the public and a lack of communication” as they explain in the article entitled “transport on demand replaces the market bus.

Asked about this, Nomad referred us to the Region.

She explains: “The lines dedicated to serving weekly markets have, as part of the preparation of the 2025 transport plan, been the subject of a study aimed at measuring their effectiveness.”

Today, of the 10 so-called “market” lines, only one line still exists according to the update of the Nomad website which was carried out on Tuesday January 14, 2025.

Less than 8 users

In the territory of Gournay-en-Bray and the surrounding area, the conclusions show very low use of line 539.

Less than 8 users on average, most often less than 5.

and detail: “Elements confirmed by ticketing statements, counts carriers and controls carried out on the ground by regional agents.”

Very low attendance which was also observed on other lines of this type throughout the territory of Seine-Maritime.

The community justifies the elimination of coach services since January 1, 2025:

In the interest of efficiency of public action and good use of public funds with the possibility of benefiting from a transport on demand (TAD) offer.

A more flexible offer

Another argument put forward: “This on-demand transport offer allows users to be offered more flexibility on transport schedules and to benefit from more days of operation (Monday to Friday compared to Tuesdays and Fridays)”.

And the Region has to defend itself on the lack of communication put forward by the users of Gournay-en-Bray.

Communication via l’application

“The Region communicated from December 2024 on this evolution of service, by publishing messages on the NOMAD CAR application, by putting up posters in coaches and by informing the municipalities served”.

And to continue: “The coach drivers were also able to warn regular users of the new organization to come and customers were able to be guided by advisors from the Nomad Car call center.”

The press release details: “Since the launch of this new offer, 6 reservations have been recorded” by the Nomad car 76 network.

Instructions for booking

To reserve their journey, the traveler can call the center until the day before their journey (or on Friday for a journey the following Monday) by selecting menu 2 (“journey by reservation”).

After dialing 02 22 55 00 10. If the telephone advisor is already online, an email can be sent to [email protected] to be recalled.

Once the reservation has been made, the NOMAD CAR center will confirm the time and place of pick-up by email, telephone or SMS to the customer.

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