This Monday, during its community council, the Cannes Pays de Lérins agglomeration voted to increase the price of the Palm Bus unit ticket, increasing, from January 1, from 1.70 to 1.80 euros. A decision that made opposition councilor Chantal Chasseriaud jump: “I am absolutely against this decision, it is the modest people that you are going to make pay!”.
“We are not increasing other prices, all people, less well-off or elderly, can take a ten-trip pass to use during the year or for two years. The increase is aimed at occasional travelers only”replied Richard Galy, the mayor of Mougins.
“It would be absurd to make taxpayers pay”
The exit of the elected official from Le Cannet provoked a lively exchange with President David Lisnard: “ It’s absurd to think that we could not increase prices. To think that a public service has no cost. To simply say that the increase is aberrant, when the cost price is higher than the sales! The service costs more than users pay! It would be absurd to make taxpayers pay.”
And the mayor of Cannes recalled that “people with modest means are helped, those looking for work for example do not pay for the bus. Since 2017, the increase has been lower than inflation. Before passing such a sentence, look at the reality of things! Who thinks that a public service has no cost? Moreover, free public transport, implemented in certain cities, has created debates.”
“Not here to make a profit!”
“We do not have the same approach to the problem, retorted Chantal Chasseriaud. Increases are not inevitable. The City must respond to needs, we are not here to make a profit, the City is not a business. Services must be paid for by the community.”
And the president of the CACPL concluded the debate: “If the community was run like a business, there would be no buses! There are several factors to take into account, you are very happy that the salaries of drivers are increasing! And for that, we do not want to pay in debt. Debt is making our grandchildren pay for our present cowardice! If we really increased prices and penalized the poorest, I would agree with you Except that we only change one. price and we keep the possibility of buying a book of ten tickets at the same price. This decision also allows us to extend the network and give the most modest people the opportunity to take it.”
A new website
The Cannes Lérins agglomeration is launching a new website: palmdeplacements.fr. It brings together all the information on everyday means of transport: buses and on-demand transport, bike rental service or even carpooling, parking and charging stations.
All information from the Palm Bus network is now fully integrated into the new site. It is possible to search for a route, find current news and disruptions on the network, timetables and line plans, the online store to buy your transport tickets and all the information concerning the titles and prices in force.
The entire Palm Vélo offer can also be found on the new site. It is possible to rent an electrically assisted bicycle, find out about parking, etc.
