From Friday to Saturday a new night of riots broke out in France in response to the death of the 17-year-old Nahel, killed on Tuesday by police shots in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine) after a refusal to comply. Extensive damage has been reported in various cities in France, in particular to shops, cars and public transport.
While it is still too early to estimate the full cost, some details have already been shared about the bill that public transport operators must pay. How much are they going to have to pocket?
Burned buses and trams
Damaged buses in Paris, Dijon, Nantes, Lyon and Toulouse… As the riots continue to spread to several French cities, the number of damages continues to rise. In Aubervilliers, for example, 12 charred corpses of buses were found, including Heuliez GX 437 hybrid articulated models. Models at 220,000 euros per unit that logically make the bill rise very quickly.
At Clamart, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, an entire tram train burned to the ground. The cost of replacement and repair is already estimated at more than 5 million euros. In addition, beyond the cost generated by material damage, the bill has also increased since the curfew was introduced in certain municipalities, paralyzing transport services and causing a loss of billing for restaurants, bars and other businesses open to the public. public at night. .
Invoices that can weigh on the taxpayer
Obviously, compensation mechanisms have already been initiated by insurance companies. But the latter also have the possibility of turning against the State, holding it responsible for the damages resulting from crimes and misdemeanors by open force, violence or mob.
The managers of the public means of transport – as well as the private ones – can, therefore, ask the State to assume part of the damages, but they still have to win their case. In 2005, after the riots in Clichy-sous-Bois, the State, for example, had avoided this scenario and the result: the municipality had to recalculate its local taxes by cutting other expenses.
Source: BFM TV
