40 new carpool areas — PNR of the Montagne de Reims

**40 new carpool areas deployed in the territories of 4 intercommunalities!** As part of the project to deploy carpool areas carried out by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition and TEPCV (Positive Energy Territory for Green Growth) as well as by the Regional Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims, 40 new carpool areas are now operational in the territories of 4 intercommunalities: the Grande Vallée de la Marne, the Paysages de la Champagne, Épernay Agglo Champagne and the Grand Reims. Thanks to these infrastructures, everyone now has the opportunity to share their journeys on a daily basis! **Why develop carpooling areas?** For territories, mobility is one of the major challenges for access to living areas, particularly employment and services. The proximity of the employment basins of Reims, Épernay and Châlons-en-Champagne- Champagne and the presence of significant roads (motorways, national and departmental roads) generate strong travel needs. But while the automobile meets these needs, it nevertheless has many inconveniences: pollution, investment and operating costs, urban congestion... At the same time, due to the rural character of the territory, the provision of public transport services can sometimes not exist or for some, it is insufficient, and is not an appropriate long-term response. This is why the Regional Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims (PNRMR) and the Pays d’Épernay Terres de Champagne have decided to join forces and propose an alternative. **How was this operation financed?** The City of Epernay, the Pays d’Épernay Terres de Champagne and the Regional Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims (PNRMR) were awarded, by a joint application, to the call for projects of the Ministry of the Environment: Territory with Positive Energy for Green Growth (TEPCV)*. The Park carries action number 35, aimed at providing and installing the signage of 40 carpooling areas on the territory, but also to promote it. _*As a reminder, a green growth positive energy territory (TEPCV) is a territory of excellence in the energy and ecological transition._ Operation 80 % financed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition (TEPCV) and 20 % by the Regional Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims. **How are these carpooling areas distributed?** They are installed near a significant road axis (crossroads of national roads or departmental roads with high traffic) and on secure areas and identified as holiday hall car parks. Also, in order to limit the ecological impact of the works and their costs, the reuse of car parks on existing pavements has been favoured.