Travelling anywhere in the regional public transit networks will cost either 2 or 2.5 euros
The public transit authority of Ile-de-France, IDFM, has announced a “revolution” in the pricing of the fares for metro, trams and regional trains (RER) that operate under its management in the French region containing the capital, Paris.
Starting on 2 January 2025, there will be only two types of tickets: fares that cost 2.5 euro allowing unrestricted travelling on metro, trains and RER regional trains; and fares for trips on buses and trams that will cost 2.00 euros.
If transferring between the two fare groups in your journey, you have to purchase a separate ticket for each. But that’s all.
One of the main reasons for the upcoming change in the fare pricing plan is the simplification of the complex system, which was deemed unfair for occasional users. In other words, as IDFM puts it:
From 50,000 different fares down to only 2
Simplification is part of the modernization effort to make public transportation more attractive for residents and visitors of Ile-de-France. That way scams, hidden traps and lost time in figuring out different fares will not be an issue anymore.
Another reason that the authorities claim is behind the plan is to encourage greater use of public transport, especially in the outer suburban communities. The IDFM 2030 Mobility Plan previews a reduction in the number of private cars on the regional roads by 15% by the end of the decade.
The new simplified fare system aims to also complete the territorial cohesion and de-zoning process in the Ile-de-France region that was initiated with the introduction of the Navigo monthly pass. Until now, residents of the outlying communities had to pay higher prices to travel to and from Paris.
The reform will be in effect self-financed, but it does hinge on the hope that it will increase public transport usage rates by 1-2%.