Interurban commuting in France A growing challenge for mobility governance?

Within the framework of the national Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), decarbonizing commuting trips became a key priority for transport public authorities in France. While commuting-related greenhouse gas emissions vary significantly across geographical areas, interurban daily mobility in France — commuting between distinct urban areas — involves over 3 million people, representing around 10% of the working population. Despite its growing impact (+50% since the 1990s) and strong car dependence with over 90% of trips (Aguiléra et al., 2024), interurban daily mobility remains largely overlooked, except for some quantitative analyses. Yet, interurban commuting could be a key lever for promoting more sustainable mobility practices, representing nearly 30% of all commuting-related greenhouse gas emissions, excluding Paris (Conti, 2018).
This study focuses on interurban mobility in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, specifically within the neighbouring urban systems (Berroir et al., 2017) of Île de Ré, La Rochelle, Rochefort, and Niort.
The research draws on policy analysis and 27 interviews with regional and local transport authorities, major employers, and carpooling providers. The aim is to better understand the stakeholders, governance issues, and potential strategies in a context where administrative boundaries complicate coherent mobility planning.
Three main findings emerge from the study. First, while interurban commuting is not yet a priority for regional or local authorities, its impact, particularly in terms of congestion, parking pressure, and recruitment challenges, is becoming a growing concern. Additionally, interurban flows remain poorly documented, and the existing regulatory framework often limits local action beyond jurisdictional borders. Nonetheless, new collaborative approaches such as shared travel surveys and cross-boundary dialogue are beginning to emerge.
Second, new governance arenas are emerging aiming to facilitate cross-jurisdictional coordination. Although often lacking formal administrative or legal recognition, these arenas promote mostly technical cooperation between region and local authorities. Another important outcome of this research is the emergence of a new actor in arenas previously dominated by public authorities: the employers. Many of them now promote alternative mobility options and collaborate with local authorities to improve employee commuting conditions.
Third, experimental mobility solutions are emerging as transitional decision-making tools to address interurban challenges without requiring major financial investments in comparison with rail solutions. Examples include subsidized carpooling platforms like BlaBlaCar Daily and the express interurban bus (Line 140E) connecting La Rochelle and Niort. These initiatives are co-financed by local and regional authorities and remain subject to future assessment.
Urban Transformation in a New Geopolitical Era?
Nexus Thinking in Energy, Food, Ecological and Mobility Transition In conclusion, interurban mobility in France is characterized by fragmented responsibilities and
limited coordination across administrative levels. Despite encouraging pilot projects and emerging dialogue, sustainable long-term solutions remain uncertain. Key questions around funding, political leadership, and governance responsibilities ‒ especially beyond municipal boundaries ‒ continue to shape the future of decarbonized commuting.