Respect for the rules, civility, patience and… a mask. These are the items that all French people must have with them to use public transport from May 11.
Unsurprisingly, as of Monday, wearing a mask on trains, metro, tram, bus, but also in stations and stations, is made compulsory for all people over the age of 11. In case of absence, it will cost you 135 euros. An amount that has been the subject of intense discussions. Some operators had suggested 55 euros. An amount deemed more consistent with the gravity of the offense and above all more recoverable. "It is obvious that 135 euros is more dissuasive, recognizes an operator, on condition of anonymity. But when it is too expensive, you realize that the fine is never paid or at the price of a long process. "
The other novelty, announced this Thursday by the government, is the obligation to have a certificate from the employer or a compelling reason to use public transport during rush hour in Ile-de-France. The absence of a certificate could lead to a verbalization of 135 euros. This proof could be applied in public transport in other cities, "if elected officials demand it," warned the Prime Minister.
A deliberately progressive increase in long-distance trains
Monday, the offer of local transport, such as metros, buses, TER, Transilien or RER will be 50% minimum, assured Élisabeth Borne, Minister of Ecological Transition. It will gradually increase to reach normal traffic in early June.
As for long distance journeys, deconfinement will not rhyme with travel to the end of France. Voluntarily, the TGV and Intercités traffic will remain very limited. From 7% currently, it will be between 20% and 30% on May 11, to painfully reach 40% at the end of the month. In addition, reservations will be limited to 50% of their capacity. Again, to respect social distancing.
Taking a TGV will therefore be complicated, especially since to travel far from home, you will need a good reason. A certificate will be requested, only by the police, to move more than 100 km, as the crow flies, from his home.
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VIDEO. Transport: "Reserved for travelers with a certificate from the employer during peak hours"
To enforce all these rules in transport, and in particular the wearing of masks, the controllers and security agents of sworn networks will receive the reinforcement of 20,000 police and gendarmes. These police forces will be distributed in the main stations and stations of the country, mainly in Ile-de-France.
Finally, if deconfinement will take place in transport, the government reserves the right to take more radical measures if social distancing proves impossible to enforce. For example the closure of metro or bus lines. "Everything will depend on the behavior of users, warns a government source. It's in their hands. ”