four questions on the compensation of subscribers announced by Valérie Pécresse

Valérie Pécresse had promised it in her wishes for the New Year to Ile-de-France residents: the president of the Paris region and of Île-de-France Mobilités, the authority responsible for organizing transport in the Ile-de-France, wants to compensate users for the many problems encountered for several months in the metros, buses and RER. It is not about the strikes of railway workers but about the delays and crowded trains which have caused controversy in recent months. Here is how the device is designed.

>>>”I’ll end up taking the bike!” : in Île-de-France, the Navigo pass is increasing and transport users are getting annoyed

Who will be able to benefit from it?

All users of public transport in the Ile-de-France will receive 37.60 euros, or half a month’s subscription provided they have paid for a Navigo subscription for at least three months between September and December last. A period during which there were many problems on the Ile-de-France network, recognizes Valérie Pécresse. The president of the region wants to make a gesture: “When, for three months, you suffer inconvenience, you are entitled to reimbursement and in the face of the increase that we had to make of the Navigo pass in January because, you know, of the increase in the cost of energy and inflation, that Ile-de-France residents get their money’s worth. Transport does not work, we reimburse.” However, weekly subscriptions or single tickets are excluded from the scheme.

What procedure(s) should be taken?

Claims for compensation can be made from February 14 on the Île-de-France Mobilités website and until March 14 at the latest. You will need to enter the number of your Navigo pass or provide a screenshot of your bank account. Users of RER B or D, two lines where the malfunctions have been very significant since the start of the school year, may also be compensated. Again, you will need to provide proof of address or an employer certificate to prove that you are using these lines. The region and Île-de-France mobilities plan to reimburse half a month or a whole month of subscription, depending on the regularity of the trains. Subscribers who use both the bus or the metro and the RER will thus be able to combine the two compensations.

How much will this measure cost?

Technically nothing at all since the authority which organizes transport in the Ile-de-France did not pay the RATP and the SNCF for the offer which they did not provide. This represents 67 million euros since September. This amount will be paid directly to users. Nearly 3.5 million people are potentially affected.

Will the problems in transport stop?

Compensation is one thing, improving the quality of the transport offer is another. Can the reimbursed users hope for the near end of the crush on the quays? “The recovery is underway and it is progressing slowly”, assures Valérie Pécresse. The regional president promises a return to normal on April 1 for the metros (and this is not a fish). Buses will have to wait until this summer.