Year 2, second attempt. The Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune called on Wednesday the motorway companies to concede "a discount" to motorists during the summer holidays. "We are a few weeks away from the big holiday departures that will be from the end of June to the beginning of July, for many French people. We know that we are in a difficult period, of inflation, of difficulties on purchasing power. And so I think (...) that, in this context, it is important that motorway companies make a commercial gesture, make a reduction, a discount, "he pleaded on RTL.
Last year, just appointed, Clément Beaune had already stepped up to the plate. The main motorway companies had conceded a 10% discount on the journeys of holders of an electronic toll badge if they paid in holiday vouchers.
"I hope that we have at least an equivalent gesture this year for families who go on holiday by road" and that the measure is applied from the first departures and not in mid-July as last year, he said. Especially since tariffs at the barrier have, like so many other goods and services this year, increased by 4.25% last February.
🗣️ @CBeaune calls on motorway companies to lower toll rates: "I think it is important that they make a commercial gesture of at least 10% for families who go on holiday by road."
🔴 Guest to @amandine_begot in #RTLMatin ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/iHvYGXxRgl
— RTL France (@RTLFrance) June 7, 2023
Clément Beaune said he would discuss the "modalities" with the motorway companies next week.
"We need this gesture, it's my responsibility as Minister of Transport. I am not minister of motorway companies, I am minister of all French people who go on holiday and who also circulate by car, "he noted, describing in passing as "demagogy" the proposal of LFI deputy François Ruffin to make motorways free this summer.
Asked about the idea of a tax imposed on motorway companies to finance the ecological transition, "there are already" but "we can imagine going further", responded Clément Beaune. "This is a debate we will have in the coming weeks. The government has referred the matter to the Council of State to look at the legal options."
