A global transport scheme for the Eco-Vallée has been defined by the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, and which is in line with the urban development projects along both banks of the Var river. Priority will be given to public transport and soft transport means.
Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, encouraging public transport
The strategy of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis is based on a multimodal transport offer, which combines a range of public transport means. The goal is to provide an alternative to driving, with an excellent intermodal organization, not only within the valley but with the adjoining territories. The ultimate objective is to have reduced the motor vehicle carbon footprint by 30% in 2020.
Several modes of transport are to be deployed:
- The tramway, with the East-West line that will link Nice’s maritime port to the Nice- SaintAugustin-Airport multimodal hub (11,3 km and 19 stops),
- The network of buses, favoring less polluting hybrid and electric vehicles throughout the area.
- The train, with a range of investments programmed : a third rail line is to be added to the existing main line, while a fast speed rail will link the territory to the main destinations in France, with connections to Italy’s fast speed train (Ventimiglia-Genoa/Milan). Finally, the local train track which heads towards the mountains (Chemins de fers de Provence) will also be upgraded.
- Soft transport solutions such as cycling will be encouraged, and an electric car system put in place such as the one in Nice (see box).
Low cost ticket pricing will be applied to encourage the use of public transport. A 1 euro ticketing system (carte Azur) is already in place for public transport by bus throughout the Alpes Maritimes department.
Looking towards 2030
The Nice Côte d’Azur global transport scheme at horizon 2030 will be organized around four multimodal stations: Pont Michel, Gare Thiers, Lingostière (tramway, bus, Chemins de Fer de Provence, rely parking, bikes) and the Nice-Saint-Augustin-Airport multimodal hub (tramway, trains -high speed and local railways, buses, access to the airport, relay parking, and bicycle stands).
The Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis is currently carrying out a full scale study regarding its urban transport plan.
Tramways
After extending the tramway line T1 by 5,3 km (9 stations) to link Nice to la Trinité, line 2 should now be extended towards the West to the municipalities of Saint-Laurent du Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer (today’s line 4). The T3 line which will start at the airport and run along the left bank of the Var is geared at structuring the future urban districts of Lingostière.
The new East-West tramway is an essential component of the transport scheme, creating a direct link between downtown Nice and the future Eco-Vallée, passing through such key districts as the EcoCité, Nice Méridia, Moulins, as well as the future Grand Arénas international business district.
Trains
The Nice-Saint-Augustin-Airport multimodal hub hinges on the future Provence Alpes-Côte d’Azur high speed train, which will link the area to France’s key destinations and in particular to the Southern metropolises. Train lines with Italy will be upgraded as well, as part of the effort to create a strong « Barcelona-Marseille-Nice-Genoa » Mediterranean axis. The different actors (RFF, SNCF, Région PACA) are also planning on upgrading the current local infrastructures and enhancing the regional train offer.
Roadways
Recent road work investments have been made by the General Council and Nice Côte d’Azur, as well as by Escota for the A8 motorway.
Several roadways will provide easy access to the Eco-Vallée:
- The RD 6202bis for the right bank of the Eco-Vallée,
- The A8 Nice Promenade des Anglais access ramp, which is due to be operational en 2014.
- The 40 meter road, linking on the left bank, the Nice Côte d’Azur airport to the Big Stadium.
- The Victorine tunnel, forming a link between the West exit of the Voie Pierre Mathis and the Var valley, the A8 motorway and the Arénas-Airport district.
The transport strategy of the Métropole Nice Côte relies on a new development model based on a multimodal offer, with a full range of public transport means. The goal is to provide an alternative to the all car mode and help reduce gas emissions, with a good organization for intermodal transport among the townships and in the adjoining territories. The concept relies on a number of initiatives : an East-West tramway line to link the sea port of Nice to the Saint-Augustin / Aéroport hub (11,3 km et 19 stations); deployment of a network of electric or hybrid buses, which are less polluting; upgrading the Chemin de fer de Provence rail line, which runs South-North into the mountains; installing a third railway track along the coast line; connecting the high speed rail lines of France and Italy which will link major French metropolises with several Italian ones (Vintimille-Gênes/Milan).
Also, the park of blue bikes and self-service electric blue cars throughout the metropolis will be further extended. Finally, on a broader scale, the department’s policy to favor public transport will be continued: as of now, a 1 Euro carte Azur pass gives access to the full network of public transport within the department.
The following initiatives will be undertaken between now horizon 2030:
• Extension of the tramway line 1 by 5,3 km (9 stations) to link Nice to La Trinité.
• The East-West tramway line will link the port of Nice with the airport. Ultimately, the line will be extended to the West to the towns of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer
• The South-North line, extending from the airport along the left bank of the Var valley, will service the urban areas that will stretch till the Lingostiere interchange.
• A large part of the global transport scheme will be deployed throughout this period, focusing on 4 major poles: Saint Augustin, Gare Thiers, Pont-Michel, Lingostière.