Tours Tram Line Declared Public Utility, Sparking Mixed Reactions
The Tours tram project has been declared a public utility, igniting both support and criticism from local politicians.
Key Points
- • The second tram line in Tours is declared a public utility by the prefect of Indre-et-Loire.
- • The project’s estimated cost is €500 million, with operations expected by 2028-2029.
- • It aims to serve 70,000 residents, 30,000 students, and 70,000 jobs.
- • Critics raise concerns over economic viability and public consultation.
On June 16, 2025, the prefect of Indre-et-Loire officially declared the second tram line project in the Tours agglomeration as a public utility, marking a significant milestone for regional public transport development. This project, projected to cost approximately €500 million, is scheduled to commence operations between 2028 and 2029, following 11 years of discussions.
The tram line will connect La Riche to Chambray, serving 70,000 residents, 30,000 students, and 70,000 jobs. Frédéric Augis, president of Tours Métropole, emphasized the tram's potential to reshape mobility in the region, stating it would dramatically decrease pollution and lessen dependence on cars amid rising fuel prices. Emmanuel Denis, president of the Syndicat des Mobilités de Touraine, also lauded the plan, emphasizing its importance in addressing growing inequalities in mobility.
Despite the optimism surrounding the project, it has drawn criticism. Some political figures, including Benoist Pierre and Christophe Bouchet from the centrist party, expressed concerns. Pierre highlighted "incoherencies" and the absence of sufficient public consultation, while Bouchet labeled the project's financial underpinning as unsound, warning of an anticipated deficit of €200 million that could lead to increased metropolitan taxes and environmental impacts, such as tree removals. Although Bouchet speculated on potential legal challenges, he acknowledged these would not alter the project's definitive momentum.