Lhe vertiginous rise in energy prices is plunging millions of families into fuel poverty. Between mid-2021 and mid-2022, by combining the increase in the price of electricity, gas and petroleum products, energy prices increased by 28% for households. This crisis is an indicator of the political choices made for decades, favoring the road for people as well as for goods, and too often slowing down the necessary exit from our dependence on fossil fuels.
In France, transport is the leading sector emitting CO₂ and the only sector that has not reduced its emissions since 1990. We must act without delay. So how to move while remaining within planetary limits acceptable for the survival of humanity? How can we meet our commitments to reduce our carbon emissions by 55% by 2030? And how to relieve the household purse? The answer necessarily goes through the train.
From the statement “For a state of railway emergency”, signed on May 24 by three senators in Economic alternativesto “jump to save the French railway” called, on July 19, in a column published in The world, by Jean Rottner, president of the Grand-Est region, positions are multiplying. They attest to the existence of a cross-party majority to make the train the spearhead of our mobility policy. What about at the top of the state? Apart from good intentions in the speeches: nothing. No strong announcement from the government regarding the daily train.
The five priorities for mobility
However, our European neighbors are taking other paths. It is time to take inspiration from it to invest in rolling stock and infrastructure, and activate all the levers to considerably develop the offer, the network, the frequency, the social accessibility (with adapted fares) and the comfort of the trains. .
With the approach of the budget orientation debates, we, elected environmentalists, propose to the regions and the State to set up a “mobility shield”, complementary to the measures to mitigate the rise in costs, around five proposals :
1) Double the financial means of the regions to develop an accessible rail transport offer, allow the reopening of lines, including in rural areas and mountain valleys, and relaunch without delay night trains and balance trains in the territory for long distances.
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