Local and regional authorities: powers and responsibilities in the field of mobility

mars 2024

At national level, the State is responsible for setting the broad guidelines and policies for transport, as well as regulating and supervising transport infrastructure throughout the country. This responsibility is exercised by the Ministry of Transport, which draws up plans and programmes to improve the efficiency and safety of transport systems.

At regional level, the Regional Councils have a major influence on mobility. They draw up regional transport plans and participate in the planning of regional transport infrastructure, including roads, railways and airports. The regions are also responsible for organising and funding regional transport, such as regional express trains (TER) and intercity coaches, while ensuring a balanced service across their territory.

At departmental level, the departmental councils are primarily responsible for the maintenance, development and management of departmental roads. They ensure the safety and quality of the departmental road network, as well as accessibility to rural areas. The départements may also contribute to the funding of local public transport and transport-on-demand services, in collaboration with the regions and inter-municipalities.

At local level, communes and intercommunal bodies play a key role in the organisation of urban transport. They are responsible for managing bus, tram and metro networks, as well as for urban road development. They can also promote cycling by creating cycle paths and self-service bicycle stations. Inter-municipal authorities can coordinate transport services across their area, set up car-sharing schemes and promote multimodality.

The region

The region plays a key role in managing mobility, particularly as regards rail and inter-urban transport, as well as planning and coordinating mobility policies at regional level. Here’s a look at its role and the legal instruments that establish its remit.

Rail transport :

The region is responsible for organising and financing regional rail transport services (TER) within its territory. It coordinates with the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF) to set timetables, quality of service and TER fares. The legal instrument that establishes this authority is the rail reform law of 4 August 2014, which gave the regions the authority to organise regional rail transport.

Intercity transport:

The region is responsible for organising and coordinating interurban transport, in particular regional bus routes. The legal instrument establishing this responsibility is the 2015 NOTRe law, which gives the regions compulsory responsibility for intercity transport.

Planning and coordination of mobility policies:

The region draws up the regional plan for planning, sustainable development and territorial equality (SRADDET), which incorporates transport infrastructure planning, coordination of mobility policies and consideration of environmental issues. It ensures coordination between the various transport organising authorities (region, départements, inter-municipalities) and promotes the coherence of mobility policies at regional level. The legal instrument establishing this remit is the 2015 NOTRe law, which strengthens the role of the regions in planning and coordinating mobility policies.

The Department

Road transport infrastructure:

The department is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of departmental roads, which make up the main road network throughout the department. It may also participate in the financing and construction of regional or national road transport infrastructure, in coordination with the State and other local authorities. The legal instrument that establishes this authority is the General Code of Territorial Authorities (CGCT), which sets out the specific powers of the départements in terms of highways and departmental roads.

Interurban transport for social inclusion:

The département is responsible for organising special transport for disabled pupils.

Inter-communal bodies

France’s intermunicipal authorities play a key role in managing mobility at local level. They have a number of missions and legal tools at their disposal to encourage sustainable travel and improve transport infrastructure. These tools are mainly :

The Urban Travel Plan (PDU):

In principle, this is compulsory for conurbations with more than 100,000 inhabitants. However, this obligation depends on a number of factors (intersection with another conurbation, role of AOM, etc.). This plan sets out the guidelines and objectives for sustainable mobility, taking into account the needs of local residents and environmental issues. It aims to encourage public transport, car-pooling, cycling and walking, and to reduce the use of private cars. The PDU is a 10-year planning tool that coordinates mobility initiatives across the intermunicipal area. For example: the actions of the Ile-de-France PDU aim, over five years, to: reduce car traffic by 3%, expressed in terms of (vehicles x km); increase the use of public transport by 2%; double the number of journeys made by bicycle; and increase the proportion of goods transported by rail and waterway by 3%.

Public transport network:

Inter-municipal bodies such as conurbation communities, urban communities, metropolises and the Lyon metropolitan area have mandatory responsibility for organising mobility (AOM). They are responsible for managing and developing local public transport networks, such as bus, tram and metro services. They can set up regular lines, on-demand services and transport-on-demand systems to meet the travel needs of local residents. Inter-municipal authorities can also negotiate agreements with transport operators to ensure that the area is well served.

Infrastructure development:

Inter-municipal authorities can take part in the development of transport infrastructure in their area. They can build and maintain cycle paths, greenways, cycle parks, car-sharing areas and charging stations for electric vehicles. They ensure that roads are safe, that public spaces are accessible and that intermodality between different modes of transport is optimised.

Cycle plan :

Inter-municipal authorities can set up a cycling plan to encourage the use of bicycles as a means of daily transport. The plan includes practical measures such as building cycle paths, providing secure cycle parking, raising awareness of cycling and promoting cycle routes. The aim of the cycling plan is to encourage soft mobility and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These missions and legal tools are governed by legislative and regulatory texts, in particular the Loi d’orientation des mobilités (LOM) adopted in 2019, which sets out the national objectives for sustainable mobility and the procedures for implementing mobility plans. Intercommunal authorities work in collaboration with other local players, such as the municipalities, départements and regions, to ensure the coherent and efficient management of travel within their area.

These tasks vary according to the type of intermunicipality. The scope of action depends on the type of inter-municipality:

Tasks and tools of the Communauté d’agglomération (CA) :

• Planning and organisation of urban transport: a CA is responsible for setting up a public transport network (bus, tramway, metro) to ensure travel within its territory.

• Management of roads of community interest: the CA is responsible for the maintenance and development of roads within its territory.

• Parking: it can introduce and regulate on-street parking.

• Urban travel plan (PDU): it draws up and implements an urban travel plan to optimise travel and encourage alternatives to the private car (cycling, walking).

• Coordination with other local players: the CA must work in collaboration with its member municipalities, the département and the region to ensure the coherence of mobility policies.

Tasks and tools of the Communauté de communes (CC) :

• School transport: the CC is generally responsible for organising and funding school transport within its territory.

• Development of public transport: it can support the introduction of inter-communal bus routes to make it easier for residents to get around.

• Development of cycle routes: the CC can work on the development and maintenance of safe cycle routes.

• Coordination with member municipalities: the CC must work with municipalities to harmonise mobility policies and ensure that transport networks complement each other.

Tasks and tools of the Urban Community (CU) :

• Management of public transport: the CU is responsible for organising and financing public transport (bus, tram, metro) throughout its territory.

• Development of roads and mobility infrastructure: it is responsible for the development and maintenance of main roads, car parks and bus stations.

• Coordination with other players: the CU must work closely with its member municipalities, the département and the region to implement a coherent and effective mobility policy.

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