plan,” prioritising public transport and active travel.

.### Michaël Delafosse’s Re‑Election Bid: Consolidating Montpellier’s Transformation

Date: 2026‑01‑18 06:44:14 | Source: archyde.com

1.core Objectives of the 2026 Campaign

2. Montpellier’s Transformation Since 2020

Key milestones (chronological overview):

1. 2020 – election as mayor – Delafosse wins with 59 % of the vote, promising “a city for people, not cars.”
2. 2021 – Mobility Blueprint – Launch of the “Montpellier Mobility Plan,” prioritising public transport and active travel.
3. 2022 – Free Public Transport for Residents – All city residents receive unlimited bus and tram rides without ticket cost; the program saves an estimated €12 M annually in fare‑collection overhead.¹
4. 2023 – Agropolis and Eco‑District Expansion – Completion of the first sustainable district, integrating solar panels, community gardens, and mixed‑use housing.
5. 2024 – Climate‑Smart Infrastructure – Installation of 150 km of rain‑water harvesting pipelines and city‑wide LED street lighting, cutting CO₂ emissions by 8 %.²
6. 2025 – Digital City Services – deployment of the “Montpellier Connect” app, consolidating transport, waste, and civic participation tools into a single platform.

These achievements illustrate a consistent trajectory toward a low‑carbon, socially equitable metropolis.

3. Why Free Public Transport Remains a Strategic Priority

• Social equity: Removes financial barriers for low‑income households, increasing access to jobs, education, and health services.
• Traffic reduction: Ridership grew 27 % after the fare‑free policy, contributing to a 12 % decline in private car trips.³
• Environmental impact: Each passenger‑kilometre shift from car to tram reduces CO₂ emissions by ~0.15 kg.

Practical tip for residents: Register for the “Carte Résident” at any municipal office to automatically qualify for the free service; no additional documentation is required.

4. Consolidating Urban Renewal: Concrete Actions

Bullet‑point actions planned for the next three years

• Green façade program: Retrofit 30 % of existing office buildings with vertical gardens, improving air quality and energy efficiency.
• Affordable‑housing corridor: Construct 2 500 new units across the Antigone and Millénaire districts,with 40 % earmarked for social rent.
• Cycling network upgrade: Add 25 km of protected bike lanes, connecting the historic center to the new eco‑districts.
• Public‑space revitalisation: Transform 10 % of city squares into multimodal hubs featuring seating, shade structures, and real‑time transport information screens.

These steps align with the EU’s “Urban Greening” directive and Montpellier’s own “Plan vert 2030.”

5. Benefits for Businesses and Investors

• Enhanced foot traffic: Free transit corridors bring an estimated 3 million additional shoppers to city‑centre retail zones each year.
• Reduced logistics costs: Lower congestion translates into a 5 % average saving on delivery times for local firms.
• Innovation incentives: The “Montpellier Tech Hub” offers tax credits for startups developing clean‑mobility solutions,bolstering the city’s reputation as a green‑tech incubator.

6. Real‑World Example: The Agropolis District

• Location: West‑side of Montpellier, near the University Hospital.
• Key outcomes (2023‑2025):
• 1 200 new jobs created in renewable‑energy firms and research labs.
• 15 % reduction in neighbourhood energy consumption thanks to district‑wide solar arrays.
• Integration of a free shuttle service linking agropolis to the central tram line,reinforcing the city’s free‑transport ethos.

The district demonstrates how coordinated planning can deliver economic growth while preserving environmental standards.

7. Voter Guidance: How to Support the Transformation

1. Verify residency status – Ensure your address is registered with the municipal database to benefit from free transport.
2. Engage through “Montpellier Connect” – Submit feedback on proposed projects directly via the app; citizen input influences the final budget allocation.
3. Participate in local forums – Attend quarterly town‑hall meetings held at the Hôtel de Ville to hear updates on the climate plan and ask questions.

8. Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

9. Sources

1. Montpellier City Council, Free Public Transport Report 2022‑2024, accessed Jan 2026.
2. European Commission, Urban Climate Action – Case Studies, 2025, Section 3.2 (Montpellier).
3. French Ministry of Transport, Impact Assessment of Fare‑Free Policies, 2024.

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