2023-11-15 10:46:29
Almost a year ago, Emmanuel Macron announced the future creation of “Metropolitan RER”. A name which had the advantage of being “general public” but which inevitably referred to the experience, not always cheerful, of Ile-de-France RER users. It is therefore another name that the bill aiming to put this vast project on track ultimately retains: metropolitan regional express services (Serm).
One and the same transport ticket
Already validated by the joint committee, the text will be submitted for approval to deputies on Wednesday, November 15, before a final vote by senators. It clarifies what these future Serms will be, which will rely “priority on strengthening rail services”, with longer hours and higher cadences. And which will also rely on complementarity with other modes of transport, in particular express coaches which should make it possible to open up areas deprived of railway lines.
Written by Renaissance MP for Bouches-du-Rhône Jean-Marc Zulesi, the proposal also mentions the use of carpooling, car sharing, cycle networks and even, where possible, waterways. Which supposes “the creation or adaptation of stations or multimodal exchange hubs”, to move from one means of transport to another. The text also provides for the establishment of a common ticket for all these modes, in order to simplify the lives of users.
The Société du Grand Paris becomes the Society for Major Projects
It is the local authorities – if necessary united within a public interest group – which will apply for the Serm label, which will be issued by the Minister of Transport.
As Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne indicated in February, future express services will be able to benefit, if elected officials so request, from the experience of the Société du Grand Paris for new or re-operated lines. Incidentally, this public structure, which is responsible for the creation of four new automated metro lines around the capital, will see its name transformed into the Société des grands Projets.
For now, the Minister for Transport Clément Beaune has announced to parliamentarians an initial investment of 767 million euros, within the framework of the State-region plan contracts which he hopes to be able to sign by the end of the year. “Barely enough to finance the studies to develop future networks”comments Alain Roux, who is following the file, within the National Federation of Transport User Associations (Fnaut).
A conference of financiers by June
But, insists the author of the bill Jean-Marc Zulesi, much more substantial sums will be committed to the Serm. “The Société des Grands Projets will provide its expertise not only in project management, but also in financial engineering. It can thus raise debt to carry out the work. A total debt whose ceiling has been significantly raised, to 39 billion euros. »
The Senate also obtained that the principle of a conference of financiers be enshrined in law, which must be held by June 2024. Local authorities could be encouraged to take tax measures to finance these large-scale projects. .
“At least ten” Serm
In any case, while the Head of State promised thirteen metropolitan RERs, the text that parliamentarians should adopt more cautiously evokes “at least ten” Serm.
Their actual implementation may vary from one project to another. “Where it is a question of developing the existing infrastructure, by increasing the speed of trains, by better coordinating mobility offers, by bringing cycle paths to stations, the Serms could see the light of day by five yearsestimates Jean-Marc Zulesi, while Strasbourg has already officially launched its network at the end of 2022. On the other hand, if it involves building new infrastructure, such as the new underground station in Lille, the time horizon is more ten or even twenty years. »
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