Government rules out free buses, defends CAM subsidy plan
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
National Council members voted against the public transport chapter of the 2026 revised budget after questioning the subsidy paid to the CAM.
During the examination of the State's 2026 revised budget, National Council members pressed the government over the level of subsidy awarded to the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco, the operator behind the Principality's bus network. The questioning led to a vote against the chapter dedicated to public transport, a rare rebuke on budget matters that are usually passed without dispute.
Responding to the criticism, the government made clear it has no plans to introduce free public transport across the Principality. Instead, officials described a strategy built around tailoring services to the needs of different districts, adjusting routes, frequency and capacity rather than removing fares altogether.
For residents who rely on the CAM network to move between Monte Carlo, Fontvieille, La Condamine and the Moneghetti hillside, the debate signals that any improvements are likely to come through targeted adjustments rather than a blanket policy change. The dispute over the subsidy also points to wider scrutiny of how public funds are allocated to transport as the government finalises its revised spending plans for the year.