Minister of Transport and Mayor of Paris Collaborate on Traffic Measures
In a significant move for urban mobility, the newly appointed Minister of Transport, François Durovray, has expressed his commitment to working closely with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Following a meeting at the Hôtel de Ville, both leaders released a joint statement emphasizing their shared goal of improving the quality of life and health for residents in the Paris region by addressing pollution caused by vehicular traffic.
One of the pressing issues discussed was the controversial decision to lower the maximum speed limit on the Paris ring road from 70 km/h to 50 km/h, set to take effect on October 1. While Durovray acknowledged the legal authority of the mayor in making this decision, he voiced concerns over its impact on millions of commuters and the absence of a comprehensive impact study. Despite their differences, both officials agreed to monitor the effects of this new speed limit over the next year, aiming for a more collaborative approach in future transport decisions.
Durovray also took the opportunity to commend the RATP, France's major public transport operator, for its successful management during the recent Olympic Games. During a visit to the Paris metro, he highlighted the importance of continuing to enhance the public transport network, particularly the Paris metro line 14, which he described as a model for future developments. He announced plans for a State-region project contract, which will allocate over 8 billion euros to improve public transport in the Île-de-France region over the next four to five years.
