Paris transport ‘will not be ready’ for Olympics: mayor

By AFP
November 24, 2023
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo delivers a speech during the 105th session of the Congress of Mayors organised by the France´s Mayors´ Association (AMF), in Paris, on November 21, 2022.  — AFP
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo delivers a speech during the 105th session of the Congress of Mayors organised by the "France´s Mayors´ Association" (AMF), in Paris, on November 21, 2022.  — AFP 

PARIS: The transport system in Paris will not be ready in time for the 2024 Olympic Games in the French capital, its mayor said, sparking anger Thursday from political opponents.

With less than a year before the event kicks off, the transport infrastructure in Paris is already under huge pressure, with commuters and tourists alike complaining of poor frequency, overcrowding and uncleanliness.

Speaking on the Quotidien talk show on TMC TV, Hidalgo said that while the Games infrastructure will be ready “there are two things for which we will not be ready” namely transport and also the problem of homelessness. On transport, “we still have problems in daily transport issues and we are still not reaching the comfort and punctuality needed for Parisians.”

“There are places where the transport will not be ready and there will not be enough trains.” Political opponents lashed out at the Socialist mayor, who has been under pressure this month after it emerged she extended a low-key official trip to a French Pacific territory in October with a two-week private visit in the holiday paradise.