Better bus service

Good news for users of public transport in Monaco. From 2 February 2009, there'll be more buses running for longer in the Principality.

The local bus company (Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco [1], CAM) is increasing frequency and hours of services across the network as part of continuing efforts to encourage more people to use the bus. Several improvements have been made as part of the Government's general travel policy since September 2006, when a car sharing scheme [2] began in an effort to reduce the 100,000 vehicles that drive in and out of the Principality every day. Following this, bus fares were reduced in January 2007, and a boat bus service was introduced in August the same year to ferry passengers across Port Hercule. Last year a weekend night bus was introduced that attracted an average 75 users each night, prompting a new evening service in 2009 following the same route. It's timed to connect with the improved rail service [3], financed by Monaco, eagerly anticipated but frustratingly delayed by the French rail drivers' strike action over the past 2 months. The trains bring 14,000 passengers into the Principality every day, most of them commuters who will now be able to stay a little longer to enjoy after hours Monaco social life.

Public transport plays a small but important part in encouraging sustainable development. Buses provided nearly 7 million journeys in the Principality last year, free of charge to the over 60s and all Monegasque nationals. Improvements to the service will hopefully cut car use, and for a lucky 17, they've created a new job.