Monaco has long been recognized as an environmentally-friendly nation, especially under the leadership of HSH Prince Albert II. His commitment to the planet is evident through numerous initiatives, particularly the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, which focuses on preserving the environment and fostering sustainable development locally and globally.
A key element of Monaco’s sustainability plan is improving mobility, which supports the principality’s sustainable growth and positively impacts public health by enhancing air quality.
In this article, we will highlight Monaco’s green transportation initiatives, which are part of a strategic plan to diminish greenhouse gas emissions, enhance shared mobility, and elevate the overall quality of life in the Principality.
Buses
Public transportation is essential for sustainable development because fewer cars on the road mean less pollution. Thus, the Monaco Bus Company plays a significant role in Monaco’s green efforts. The company operates 22 hybrid buses, which have been powered by Diester B30 biofuel since 1998, resulting in a reduction of fossil emissions by up to -50%. Additionally, Monaco introduced 10 electric buses in 2022. In addition, the Principality put a lot of effort into making these buses user-friendly. Indeed, they offer various convenience features such as the option to pay directly on the bus using a contactless card reader or through the dedicated app, which enables users to track buses in real-time online. Moreover, the Monaco Bus Company is continuously working on modernizing its services, such as increasing the frequency of public transport which includes night and evening buses. The company has recently added to brand new lines: X3 and X4, which directly and fastly connect the East to West of the Principality. Indeed, since April 2024, these two new bus lines connect East to West with very little stops (from Monday to Friday) from 7am to 7pm.
In addition to the regular bus services, Monaco also offers solar-powered electric water buses allowing passengers to cross Port Hercule efficiently and sustainably.
MonaBike
Monaco’s transportation network has been further enriched with the introduction of Monabike, an automated electric bike assistance service. Complementing the existing extensive network of bus lines, this initiative is a joint effort between the Government of Monaco and the Monaco Bus Company.
With nearly 400 bicycles spread across 49 stations within the 2km² Principality, Monabike ensures convenient access for users throughout their journeys. Wherever they are headed in the Principality, users can find stations near their point of departure and their destination. This service caters to both subscribers and occasional users aged over 14.
This electric bike share program promotes eco-friendly travel practices across the Principality, fostering shared mobility and actively contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Mobee
As Mobee’s slogan says, “Electric vehicles in just a few clicks,” this initiative makes it easy for people to get around the Principality without worrying about parking charges.
This Car-Sharing System allows users to access electric vehicles within the Principality through their smartphones. The app helps you locate the nearest available vehicle, book it, and drive away.
Vehicle Options:
- Renault Twizy: Perfect for short city rides, these small and compact two-seaters are ideal for easy parking on the streets of the Principality.
- Peugeot e208: These cars offer a comfortable experience for longer journeys.
- Tesla Model 3: With extended battery autonomy, these vehicles also provide access to Tesla’s superchargers within the Principality.
For more information, visit Mobee’s website.
Promoting Electric Vehicle Adoption in Monaco
In line with its comprehensive eco-friendly transportation initiatives, the Principality actively encourages its citizens and residents to purchase and use electric vehicles. The government provides subsidies to support the acquisition of clean energy vehicles, offering financial assistance to those who choose electric options.
Subsidy details:
- Applicable to electric or hybrid (electric/petrol) vehicles with at least four wheels and CO2 emissions of 110g/km or less.
- Includes electric or hybrid two-wheel or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles with CO2 emissions of 45g/km or less.
- Covers electric bicycles without lead batteries.
For more information, visit the official page.
Monaco has also implemented several initiatives to encourage the use of electric vehicles:
- Charging Stations: The Principality features numerous charging stations conveniently located throughout the area.
- Incentives: Electric vehicle owners receive various benefits, including a free annual car sticker, regulated on-street parking, and complimentary vehicle charging.
- Parking: The Monaco Town Hall offers free parking for electric vehicles on public roads.
These measures demonstrate Monaco’s commitment to fostering sustainable transportation and reducing its carbon footprint. For further details, visit the government’s information page.
Revolutionizing Mobility: Monaco’s New Parking Solution
Multimodal transport is gradually gaining more prominence in Monaco. Indeed, park-and-ride schemes now encourage drivers to leave their cars as they enter the Principality.
Prince Albert recently inaugurated Parking Salines, a large parking facility at Monaco’s entrance, aiming to reduce road traffic by up to 4,000 vehicles daily. The 15-level structure offers 1,790 parking spaces and 100 Monaco ON electric charging stations.
Parking Salines is a key part of Monaco’s Mobility Plan, launched in February to transform the city’s transportation by reducing traffic and promoting sustainable travel. The facility provides affordable parking and two express bus lines for convenient access to key areas within the Principality. Buses operate every 10 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm on weekdays, with increased frequency during rush hours (up to one bus every 5 minutes!).
Additionally, this brand-new parking lot features two electric bicycle stations on levels -1 and -15, with charging spaces for 63 electric bikes.
It is worth mentioning the attractive prices: monthly packages cost €51, which are about half the price of other car parks in Monaco, and include free bus travel. Daily rates are €11 for a full day of parking.
This facility will benefit not only cross-border workers but will also be very valuable for major events in Monaco, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, which attract thousands of visitors.
To wrap up, Monaco’s comprehensive eco-friendly mobility plan showcases a robust commitment to sustainability, driven by HSH Prince Albert II’s vision for a greener future. Through initiatives like the modernization of the Monaco Bus Company, the introduction of Monabike, and the convenience of Mobee, the Principality is significantly reducing its carbon footprint. The promotion of electric vehicle adoption, bolstered by government subsidies and widespread charging infrastructure, further reinforces Monaco’s dedication to clean energy. The new Parking Salines, with its park-and-ride scheme and multimodal transport options, exemplifies Monaco’s strategic approach to reducing traffic congestion and enhancing public transport usage. Collectively, these efforts underscore Monaco’s proactive stance in fostering sustainable mobility and improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors alike.
Sources:
- https://www.fpa2.org/
- https://en.gouv.mc/Policy-Practice/The-Environment/Soft-mobility
- https://www.cam.mc/
- https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/actualites/lancement-des-lignes-x3-et-x4-les-liaisons-est-ouest-rapides-et-directes
- https://monabike.mc
- https://www.mobee.mc/fr/vehicules
- https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/news/help-to-buy-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles-monaco-supports-the-eco-friendly#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20the,a%20maximum%20of%20%E2%82%AC4%2C500.
- https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/themes/transport-and-mobility/access-traffic-and-parking/ecological-vehicles/measures-to-promote-ecological-vehicles
- https://bss.mc/sustainable-tourism-monaco/
- https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/themes/transport-and-mobility/access-traffic-and-parking/ecological-vehicles/measures-to-promote-ecological-vehicles
- https://monacolife.net/monaco-unveils-new-park-and-ride-facility-parking-salines/#:~:text=Prince%20Albert%20has%20officially%20inaugurated,as%204%2C000%20every%20working%20day.
