Nice Voters to Decide 0.5% Transport Levy for Expanded Tram, Bus Service

The proposed referendum on a transport funding levy will appear on the November 2026 ballot in Nice, directly affecting the 340,000 residents who rely on the city's public transit network for daily travel to jobs, schools and medical appointments.

Local government records show the measure stems from shortfalls identified in the 2025 municipal budget update, which projected a 28 million euro gap in transport maintenance funding through 2028 amid rising operational costs reported by the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis authority.

Impacts on daily travel and costs

Passage would authorise new routes connecting the Cimiez district to the port area and extend evening service on existing lines by two hours, according to the draft ordinance released by city hall last month. Residents in outlying neighbourhoods such as Saint-Barthélemy would see the first dedicated bus rapid transit corridor, reducing average commute times by an estimated 12 minutes based on current ridership data from the metropolis transport department.

Policy analysts note that the levy would add roughly 45 euros annually to the average property tax bill for a single-family home assessed at 250,000 euros, while renters could face pass-through increases in lease renewals starting in 2027.

Evidence from budget documents and next steps

The 2026-2027 budget papers allocate 92 million euros to transport capital projects if the measure passes, compared with the 64 million euros currently budgeted without new revenue. Community advocates have highlighted that current service covers only 38 percent of peak-hour demand on the busiest corridors, per ridership counts compiled by the metropolis in March 2026.

Voters will receive the official guide from the city clerk's office by 15 September, with the final tally scheduled for 8 November and implementation targeted for the first quarter of 2027 if approved.