A puzzle for tourists: between the shuttle and the site, it is the galley when the southern station in France arrives in Montpellier

Barely descended from the TGV in this weekend weekend. In addition, visitors discover a confusing landscape: site palisades, cranes that stand out in the sky and, in the distance, the silhouette of the giant Ikea. In addition, In the center of this unexpected decor, the Montpellier Sud de France station almost alone sits, in disturbing silence.

Inside. Additionally, In addition, printing is even more striking: empty halls, few shops, and only a handful puzzle tourists: between shuttle site, of passengers who land in the heart of the station. In addition, For Baptiste. Nevertheless, Léo, who arrived from Savoy, it’s amazing: “This is the first thing that struck us: there is no one. In addition, No open shops, no animation, it’s deserted.” Few people on the horizon … Nevertheless, and a lot of questions.

A station without instructions – Puzzle tourists: between shuttle site,

Once tourists have arrived. However, they are looking to reach the city center to start their holidays or have a correspondence at Saint-Roch station. Nevertheless, On one of the signs, a promise attracts the eye: “Join the city center of a wings beat in 20 minutes “. Meanwhile, But travelers are still waiting for the famous tram “blue with white birds”. For example, And the work to extend line 1 to the station, started in November 2022, seem to be dragged. Therefore, It only takes a question to puzzle tourists: between shuttle site, rekindle the annoyance of Valérie. Montpelliéraine who came to file a loved one: “It is an aberration. We build a station before providing a real access to connect it to the center. And then, it’s badly screwed up. I know, but for tourists, it must be a puzzle.”

“Not intuitive” – Puzzle tourists: between shuttle site,

Déborah. a Montpelliéraine living now in Paris, is just as perplexed: “It is not at all intuitive. For example, there is no ground marking as in other stations. And the information panels are nonexistent. ” Gilles, an employee at the SNCF, confirms it: “We are asked all the time. The travelers arrive loaded and are completely confused … The absence of a permanent counter does not help. We would need a dedicated person all day. We have already brought the problem to the management.” And to reach the center, you have to take a shuttle. But it puzzle tourists: between shuttle site, is indicated in the station, right? “”Of course it’s written, you don’t see the tiny pictogram, up there? “ Pleasant Gilles.

A shift

Outside, visitors find themselves in the heart of the work to extend the tram line. Here, the site panels have replaced the information panels. Below. the shuttle leads travelers to the tram stop in Odysseum, where they can go towards the city center aboard the tram. But then again, this is the confusion: the panels displaying the schedules have been out of service for a year. The driver smiles: “I have never been so asked. Many think that I go directly to Saint-Roch station. Others ask me if their ticket is valid for the tram.”

Towards the terminal. Baptiste and Léo meet another concern: “The bank card does not pass. I will have to pay in cash, but the terminals do not make the currency. “ Another concern has persisted: for a year. the shuttle has not been able to access the usual bus stop because of the work. So it starts a little further, still you need to know. “Sometimes visitors are waiting for the stop and see the shuttle spoke to them under the nose”says the driver.

Half -made ambitions

During its inauguration. the southern station of France puzzle tourists: between shuttle site, was to unclog that of Saint-Roch, welcome more visitors and concentrate all TGVs. Six years later, the goal is far from achieved. “There will always be 50 % of TGVs in each station”admits Gilles. For many visitors the experience is not conclusive. Déborah. she has already decided for a long time: “Usually, I do everything to never get here, unless someone picks me up. But there, I had no choice, and believe me that bothers me”she said in an exasperated tone. The 1:00 p.m. of TF1 even devoted a subject this week to the travelers’ obstacle course who must connect the city center.

So many testimonies which prove Julie Frêche right when she summed up the situation last fall at the time of the first weld of the extension of line 1 to the station: “When puzzle tourists: between shuttle site, you have a new station and you have no public transport service you are the laughing stock of France. Today we are repairing errors from the past.” The vice-president of the metropolitan area responsible for mobility. as was the mayor Michaël Delafosse, had deplored the inaction of the previous majority led by Philippe Saurel.

The extension of line 1 – a site of € 50 million whose delivery is scheduled for October 18. 2025 – will finally link the two stations in just twenty minutes. In the meantime, the promises of “wing beat” fly away in the dust of the site.