Getting about means getting on in life. Far from being limited to commuting, mobility shapes the everyday lives of French people and is instrumental in granting them access to their basic rights. According to the survey, while one in two French people aged 15 and above regularly commute for professional reasons (excluding studies), these trips are just part of a much broader need. Seventy percent travel for shopping, 57% for family visits, 29% for medical appointments, and 22% for cultural outings—reasons that make mobility a “right above all rights,” an essential tool to have access to health, education, culture, and employment.

The car remains the default choice of the French

Although mobility is a necessity, it nevertheless comes with restrictions. The study shows that more than two-thirds of French people make these trips at least once a week, and for 71% of them, the car is the main mode of transport—not necessarily out of choice, but by default. Due to the lack of viable alternatives, the car remains the most reliable solution, mainly due to one key factor: travel time. Nearly six out of ten French people (58%) consider speed to be a determining factor in their choice of transport, a criterion in which alternatives still struggle to compete. In addition to often rigid timetables, public transport services fail to meet expectations in terms of flexibility and accessibility.

Express coaches: an alternative to revitalise communities and strengthen social cohesion

In response to mobility challenges, regional express services (SERM) — and express coaches more broadly — can play a key role in revitalizing areas lacking transport options, while offering a reliable and efficient alternative. Designed to support citizens in their daily journeys, they address a wide range of needs throughout the day and week. The survey reveals that 73% of French people are in favor of using them — a figure that rises to 81% among those who regularly travel medium distances (5 to 7 times per week), regardless of the reason for their trip. More than just a means of transport, express coaches are a tool for social connection: 39% of respondents would use them to commute, 51% for medical appointments, 45% to visit relatives, and 48% for cultural outings. Nearly one in two parents consider them an ideal solution for their children’s travel needs, while one in three sees a direct benefit for a relative or close acquaintance.

For more sustainable and inclusive mobility

Beyond their social and territorial impact, express coaches are fully part of the transition to more sustainable mobility. They reduce the stress and fatigue caused by driving (55% of respondents), cut people’s transport costs (51%), and limit the environmental footprint of travel (45%), all factors that strike a chord with citizens. Affordable and convenient, they provide better service to areas with fewer transport solutions, while also complementing regional train and urban transport networks. By streamlining travel, reducing road traffic congestion and connecting smoothly with other modes of transport, they provide an efficient solution for easy door-to-door journeys and more inclusive, intermodal mobility.

With LIRIS Express, Keolis offers a range of express coach services and several references whether in France, such as the Nice - Sophia-Antipolis, or Niort - La Rochelle routes, or internationally, between Gothenburg and Borås (Sweden) or between Sydney’s business district and its northern beaches (Australia).

To find out more about the survey conducted by Keolis and Harris Interactive, click here