A new carpooling service between Rouen and Val-de-Reuil
By Yann Lachendrowiecz
Published on
Go to work at Val-de-Reuil (Eure) starting from Rouen, it is now possible. On Tuesday March 1, Ecov, in partnership with the Seine-Eure Agglomeration and Rouen Métropole, an open line that offers morning and evening journeys between the two cities.
Fight against “autosolism”
52 carpooling lines are already offered in France by Ecov. This new line between Rouen and Val-de-Reuil aims to offer an economical, ecological and supportive alternative to users and to reduce traffic jams. “There are many people who live in the Rouen urban area who work in companies in the Seine-Eure urban area, recalls Marc Monnier, director of mobility and sustainable development at the Agglo. Most of them perform alone in the car to their work. »
To reduce this phenomenon “autosolism”, Covoit’ici offers a carpooling line that includes three stops. Two starting points have been defined: the first, Rouen – Orléans, located at the Pont Guillaume Le Conquérant level, and the second at the Zénith level.
A resort at Apple Trees
The arrival in Val-de-Reuil takes place at Les Pommiers, avenue des Métiers, near the hydrogen station. “We are fairly quickly oriented towards Val-de-Reuil and the Clouets area, reveals Marc Monnier. This place is located near the highway and the departmental road that leads to Pont-de-l’Arche. It was also an area that was already equipped, which allows for a secure stopping and waiting area. »
At “peak hours”
The lines are open to drivers and passengers from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) “at peak times” from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., towards Val-de-Reuil and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., towards Rouens. Each driver who wishes to share his journey announces his departure by telephone, SMS or via an application to be downloaded on his smartphone.
Similarly, a passenger wishing to carpool indicates that he is looking for a driver. “The application allows them to be linked”, develops Esther Saint-Léger, developer of the community of the Covoit’ici line.
“Both are informed in real time of their presence at the stop. We have also installed luminous panels at stops to indicate that a passenger is waiting and the destination he wishes to reach. »
Compensated drivers
On March 1, a five-week phase of “recruitment” of the first drivers began “to allow them to realize themselves with the application”. “. Since April 1, the service has been open to passengers. ” In order to encourage people to change their habits, the first 1000 journeys will be free”continues Esther Saint-Léger, specifying that compensation financed by local authorities is allocated to drivers.
“There must be a real financial incentive, especially in this period of rising fuel prices. Drivers are compensated up to €1 per declared journey. It is a financial reward for providing free seats in their vehicles. This is in addition to compensation of €2 per passenger transported. »
How much does it cost ?
Since the opening of the service, journeys have been free for passengers in order to encourage the inhabitants of the population area concerned to leave their car in the garage.
To encourage good practices and develop the service, drivers are compensated as follows:
– up to €2 for each passenger transported, except between Rouen – Orléans and Rouen – Zénith (which can be connected by public transport)
– for the provision of their free seats, they automatically allocate €1 per trip, even without a passenger (for any trip declared with the application during peak hours: Monday to Friday, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. in the morning to Val- de-Reuil and between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the other direction, towards Rouen.)
Guaranteed trips
Ultimately, the goal is to offer a carpooling solution every 5 minutes. If no carpooler is available, the service provides insurance. “If a passenger has not left 10 minutes after making their request, we trigger the “departure guarantee”, underlines Esther Saint-Léger. With a simple phone call, the service offers taxi pick-up to enable the user to arrive on time at their place of work. »
Create a community
Events will be regularly set up to allow different users to discuss and meet. Objective: a community so that the number of carpoolers is as high as possible in order to ensure regularly created routes every day. “We are aiming for a high level of service, insists Marc Monnier, faithful to the credo of the Agglo Seine-Eure. This solution is only likely if it is possible to offer care in the morning but also in the evening to allow users to return home. »
The service will be tested until the end of 2022. If it meets its audience, other carpooling stations could then be opened in the territory.
The Covoit’ici app is available for free on IOS and Android. The service is also accessible by telephone on 01 79 73 89 73 or SMS to the number indicated on the terminals indicated at the stops
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