Endure traffic jams, drive in circles to park: in town, the car so practical is not always the ideal means of transport. TCL is responding to this by launching an experiment this month to convince residents of a neighborhood to no longer use public transport. From October 4 to 31, the “One month without a car” project invites 17 families living in the Carré de Soie to leave their car in the garage in exchange for a “Mobility Kit” offering them public transport (metro, bus, tram) , but also Vélo’v, Citiz, TER and carpooling.
This project was born from a discussion between Béatrice Vessiller, vice-president of Sytral and of the Métropole de Lyon, and Laurence Eymieu, general manager of Keolis, on the basis of an observation: “We are in a district where, despite a good served by public transport, the streets are congested because of parking and traffic, ”explains Béatrice Vessiller. “We thought about a mobility management operation, which gave rise to this experiment where we offer households in Vaulx-en-Velin and Villeurbanne mobility solutions other than their car. Knowing that to try is to adopt! “
An incentive and communication operation
Paul Chaperon, marketing director of Keolis, explains that the volunteers were chosen because they own a car, “but are not opposed to public transport and whose pace of life and work would allow them to use. The important thing is to initiate a dynamic, and to communicate: workshops will follow to collect their opinions. We also take the opportunity to better explain mobility in the neighborhood, because when you master that, it’s easier to let go of your car. “
Among these volunteers, Nabila, 43, is enthusiastic. For this mother of four, taking public transport is more complicated than taking her car. But she is curious to see how this alternative month will impact her appointments, her shopping … “I also want to see if the price is advantageous for me, because the car is expensive for the household”, adds -she. “But I’m ready for this experience, especially since I live in a well-connected area, so why not take advantage of it? And it is true that we are not aware of everything that the city has at our disposal, apart from the tram, the metro and the bus. I did not know carsharing, for example, I would have used it earlier if I had known. “
The arguments of the final choice
For Alex, a 22-year-old salesperson, the motivation is different: if he prefers the car, it’s because he has had bad experiences with public transport. “I accepted this experience for the benefits (laughs)! And to see if a month without a car changes everyday life or not. Now, I am apprehensive about broken down subways, bus delays… I have more certainties with my car, since I’m the one driving! “
TCL and Keolis hope that after this month of experimentation, these families will swap the wheel for good for subscriptions, and that the device will be deployed in other districts of the metropolis. For Alex, everything will depend on the reliability of transport. Nabila is already keen to use all the alternatives to the car. Both already know that with two refills of gasoline of 70 euros per month and a TCL pass at 65 euros at full price, the financial gain is not in doubt. It remains to change the most difficult: his habits.