Le Monde diplomatique (March 2026) features a special report on Montpellier, the first major city to make buses and trams free, with ridership on the rise; the article highlights both the social and environmental benefits of the measure, as well as its limitations (including the need for a robust public transit system to ensure that changes in travel habits take root in the long term).
To objectively assess and monitor these effects, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole relies onthe Mobility Observatory developed in partnership with Mobility-Metrix: real-time data from multiple sources enables the measurement of ridership, modal shifts, origin-destination flows, and travel times, allowing for the management of service (additional capacity, scheduling adjustments, targeting specific neighborhoods and times) and the demonstration of long-term social and climate benefits.
Free Public Transportation in Montpellier – Health, Environment, and Politics
