Facing persistently high diesel prices and event-related rerouting costs, the government has launched a €200 million aid scheme for small and mid-sized public road-transport companies. Décret n°2026-885, published 24 September, makes firms eligible for grants covering up to 15 % of additional fuel and wage expenses incurred between June and December 2026. Applicants must prove at least a 20 % revenue hit linked to security perimeters around major events—specifically naming the papal visit and the forthcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Payments will be processed via the Agence de Services et de Paiement within 30 days of application, with a cap of €500,000 per company. The aid complements the existing ‘remise carburant’ rebate but is targeted at bus and coach operators that provide corporate shuttles and regional services. Employers benefiting from the scheme must commit to freezing ticket prices for season-pass holders until March 2027, protecting commuting budgets for expatriate staff. Industry association FNTV welcomed the measure but warned that bureaucratic complexity may deter micro-operators. Mobility managers should liaise with contracted coach providers to ensure they apply, potentially lowering invoices for corporate transfers in 2027. Analysts note this is the third such package since the Ukraine energy shock; together the aids have disbursed over €650 million, underpinning the resilience of France’s ground-mobility ecosystem during a period of overlapping security and energy crises.
Source: Journal Officiel – Légifrance
