Toulouse Grapples with Traffic Woes: Humor, Data, and a Mayor’s Defense

Toulouse, often celebrated as the "Ville Rose" (Pink City) for its distinctive terracotta brick architecture, is facing a growing challenge: traffic congestion. The situation has become so acute that it has drawn the attention of humorists and prompted a response from the city’s mayor, Jean-Luc Moudenc. The debate highlights the tension between urban growth, infrastructure development, and the daily realities of residents navigating the city’s roads.

The spark that ignited the recent discussion was a satirical video posted on Instagram by comedian Marie s’infiltre. In her characteristic style, she targeted Mayor Moudenc, playfully accusing his administration of transforming the "Ville Rose" into a "Ville Bouchon" (Traffic Jam City). The video portrays Toulouse’s city center as an "escape game of a new generation," riddled with never-ending construction projects.

Marie s’infiltre’s humor, while exaggerated for comedic effect, resonates with many residents who experience the daily frustration of traffic delays. The issue is not merely anecdotal; data from the traffic analysis firm Inrix, published on January 7th, paints a stark picture. According to their report, Toulouse drivers lost an average of 51 hours in traffic jams last year.

The city’s ring road, the périphérique, emerges as a particularly problematic area. Data from the Agence d’Urbanisme et d’Aménagement Toulouse aire métropolitaine (AUAT), the urban planning agency for the Toulouse metropolitan area, reveals a significant increase in traffic volume on several key sections between 2014 and 2023. The most dramatic increase occurred in the Borderouge sector, where daily traffic rose from 116,000 to 138,000 vehicles. Similar increases, albeit slightly smaller, were observed in other areas such as Croix-Daurade, Montaudran, the Empalot-Rangueil section, and Sesquières, each experiencing an increase of approximately 10,000 vehicles per day.

The projections for the future are even more concerning. Forecasts for 2030 indicate that the traffic situation in the Toulouse metropolitan area is likely to worsen. Studies conducted by various entities, including the French government, Toulouse Métropole, the Département (regional administrative division), the Région (larger administrative region), and Tisséo (the Toulouse public transportation authority), since 2017, suggest that despite investments in public transportation aimed at accommodating new trips in the city center, the periphery will witness a substantial surge in traffic. The western part of the city’s road network is expected to be particularly congested.

Marie s’infiltre’s commentary has touched upon a sensitive topic that has been long anticipated by authorities: the city’s growing population is generating more car trips, placing immense strain on the existing transportation infrastructure.

Online social media platforms reflect the prevailing sentiment among residents. Some have described the traffic situation in Toulouse as "hell," "war," or "a catastrophe." Responding to these criticisms and the growing public concern, Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc defended his administration’s actions.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on May 2nd, Moudenc outlined the rationale behind the ongoing construction projects. He acknowledged that the current works are causing temporary traffic disruptions but emphasized that the long-term benefits would outweigh the short-term inconveniences. He asserted that the completion of Line C of the Toulouse Metro in 2028 would remove 90,000 cars from the city’s roads. In essence, the mayor’s message is that present pains are necessary for future gains.

The Toulouse local authority, when contacted, conveyed its awareness of the traffic challenges. They emphasized their commitment to implementing numerous projects designed to enhance traffic flow and strengthen public transportation options. These initiatives include the development of express bus lines (with 11 Lineo lines currently in service and a 12th line scheduled to open in September) and the construction of the new Line C of the Metro.

The municipality further highlighted the completion of major road infrastructure improvements: the Toulouse ring road is now fully configured with 2×3 lanes, following extensive works completed in 2021. This upgrade, according to the city, significantly improves the ring road’s capacity. The local authority suggests that the city isn’t entirely culpable for all of the current traffic issues.

The city council stated that traffic jams are frequently caused by accidents that temporarily reduce the number of available lanes, especially during peak hours. They call on every driver to act responsibility, including the avoidance of cell phone use behind the wheel or driving while under the influence of alcohol. The Mairie of Toulouse is currently leading a prevention effort targeting the use of cellular phones while driving.

The situation in Toulouse reflects a common challenge faced by many rapidly growing cities: balancing the demands of economic development and population growth with the need to maintain a sustainable and efficient transportation system. The city’s ongoing efforts to expand public transportation, improve road infrastructure, and promote responsible driving habits are all aimed at addressing this challenge. Whether these measures will be sufficient to alleviate the city’s traffic woes remains to be seen, but the debate sparked by Marie s’infiltre’s humor serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing this critical issue.