The Ile-de-France region this Monday denied that there was abuse in raising prices for public transport during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite the fact that the price increase was about 100%.
“I know this topic has been controversial. We made this increase precisely so that there would be no queues at the box office, oversaturating tickets. The individual price is therefore prohibitive,” said Valerie Pecresse, president of the region that includes Paris.
According to the same person in charge, “if people coming from abroad are rational and well-informed, they will not have to buy a private itinerary.”
During the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games there will be special transport plans: daily tickets will cost €16, which can be used on all transport routes and territories, or weekly tickets will cost €70, more than double current price (30).
“70 euros per week is a very cheap rate. I remember that it includes access to the airports (Orly and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle currently have fares above 11 euros), so this cost is amortized from the moment you arrive at the airport,” he said.
Valerie Pecresse suggested that the increase is also “to avoid leaving an Olympic debt to future generations” and not to raise fares again in 2025, implying that she rules out providing free travel to accredited people, as the Organizing Committee had proposed.
“I tell the committee to optimize their income and the sponsors to roll up their sleeves. “I think there was enough profit” for those accredited to get free tickets, he said.
The official said 10 free transfers would be provided from major Paris train stations to event venues such as Versailles (equestrian events), Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (track cycling) or Roland Garros (tennis).
“There will be peaks along which it is most advisable to walk part of the route. […] We don’t need to be afraid of walking, it’s good for our health, especially in mid-August,” said Valerie Pecresse, assuring that transport will be prepared.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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