🚧🏛️ France's transport framework law aims to revitalize infrastructure through highway revenues

Oneliner

The French government has unveiled a transport framework law aimed at revitalizing infrastructure by tapping into highway revenues. The proposal seeks to generate €1.5 billion annually for rail and road renovations, with a goal of reaching €4.5 billion by 2028. It encourages private sector involvement through public-private partnerships for major rail projects. Additionally, the law suggests potential fare increases for public transport to improve funding, although the government has clarified there are no plans to double fares. The framework law consists of 19 articles addressing urgent infrastructure needs.

Key points

• The proposed law seeks to generate €1.5 billion annually from highway revenues for infrastructure renovation.
• Public transport fares may increase as part of a strategy to improve funding and service quality.
• The framework law includes 19 articles addressing rail, road, and waterway infrastructure needs.
• Private sector involvement is encouraged for major rail projects through public-private partnerships.

Links

• Le Figaro: Comment l'État veut ponctionner les autoroutes pour financer la rénovation des réseaux ferré et routier
• Le Monde: Transports : un projet de loi-cadre devant permettre d’utiliser l’argent des autoroutes pour financer la rénovation ferroviaire présenté mercredi
• BFMTV: L'ÉCO - L'institut Montaigne plaide pour la rémunération au mérite des fonctionnaires
• BFMTV: L'État veut taper dans le trésor de guerre des autoroutes
• BFMTV: Piocher dans la manne des autoroutes, faire plus payer les usagers... Que contient la loi-cadre sur les transports présentée ce mercredi en conseil des ministres?
• RMC: "Ca peut faire peur": vétusté, insécurité... les gares routières françaises dans un état catastrophique

Facts

• The framework law consists of 19 articles focused on transport infrastructure.
• Projected revenue from highway concessions is estimated at €1.5 billion annually, increasing to €4.5 billion by 2028.
• Nearly 2,600 kilometers of the core rail network have reached their theoretical end of life.
• Public transport fares have decreased by 19% in constant euros from 2013 to 2023.

Quotes

• It is nothing less than freeing up resources to finance transport over the next twenty to thirty years — Philippe Tabarot
• The transport sector faces major investment needs — Impact study introduction

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