Even downsized the inauguration of the Angers streetcar will not end at Mc Do

Credit picture : Angers Loire Metropole

The protest caused by the cost of the inauguration ceremony of the streetcar led to a dramatic decrease of its budget. The mayor of Angers city, Jean-Claude Antonini, announced on november 26th that he will not withdraw the event. "The trolley needs a successful launch in order to encourage the inhabitants to use it", he said. But the money dedicated to the display will not exceed 150 000 € instead of 400 000 €.


The event will entirely managed by the city council and will associate the inhabitants, the schools and the non-profit making organizations of Angers. The local private companies have been "associated" thanks to an - illegal - increase of the local transport tax the city council will now refund thanks to a rise of taxes on households. As regards, the enterprises having worked on the project will be authorized to plan internal events in the maintenance center, but will have to pay themselves.

The giant feast has been cancelled but Mr Antonini warned he "cannot invite the official guests (and among them, the president of the French republic) at Mc Donald's". Above all, travelling on the trolley line will be free during the week after inauguration (june 25th). The street car free? "I'm lovin'it"!