Assistance for Workers Transport

Electric assisted city bikes for hire in Amboise.

French employers are obliged to subsidise their workers transport fees if those workers are using public transport of any sort (buses, trams, trains, city bikes). These days this arrangement is explicitly to encourage people to use more climate friendly means of getting to work than individually driving themselves from home. The payments involved are tax and social contributions free for both parties. As well as subsidising train tickets employers can also choose to hire a fleet of bicycles (regular or electric assisted) that their employees can use.

Tram in the city of Tours.

To benefit from this system employees must hold a season ticket or subscription that is regularly topped up for their chosen public transport service. If an employee chooses to use their own car, scooter or bike there is no obligation for their employer to contribute to the costs. However, in practice, if workers have no access to public transport or work shifts that mean public transport is not running when they need it, then good employers will stump up, and both parties are allowed to take advantage of the tax benefits.

Fast trains at Tours Centre station mean you can live in Tours and work in Paris.

Employers must contribute 50% of the second class fare for the shortest journey between the worker's home and place of employment. Part time employees are included in the 50% contribution rules if they work 18 hours or more a week. Fewer hours than that means you get the subsidy on a prorata basis.

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