Politics
Montmartre Council Approves 2026 Connectivity and Skills Programme, Funding Tram Extensions and Apprenticeships
The programme directs 32 million euros from the municipal budget toward new tram segments and 200 apprenticeship positions starting in September.
How we reported this
Montmartre's city council voted on 7 July to enact the 2026 Connectivity and Skills Programme, which allocates 32 million euros to extend two tram lines and create 200 paid apprenticeship slots in construction and maintenance trades. The measure passed by a 21-12 margin and takes effect on 1 September 2026. It targets residents in the 18th arrondissement who rely on public transport for work or who seek entry-level positions in local infrastructure projects.
The vote occurs as the city finalises its annual budget amid rising material costs for public works. Council documents show the programme draws from existing capital reserves rather than new taxes. Local transport data from 2025 recorded average daily ridership of 48,000 on the two lines now scheduled for extension.
Changes to daily travel routes
Residents living near Rue des Abbesses and Place du Tertre will gain direct tram access to the Gare du Nord interchange by late 2028 under the first phase of the extension. Current bus routes 30 and 54 will receive additional peak-hour vehicles to bridge gaps during construction. The second phase covers the segment toward Porte de Clignancourt, projected to shorten average commute times by 12 minutes for workers heading to northern employment zones.
New entry points into local trades
The apprenticeship component pairs participants with contractors already contracted for the tram work and with the municipal maintenance crews. Each position lasts 18 months and includes certification in electrical systems or track maintenance. City records indicate 340 applications were received in the first week after the vote announcement.
Budget papers released with the council agenda list the 32 million euro figure broken into 21 million for track and signalling upgrades plus 11 million for training stipends and equipment. The Productivity Commission report from March 2026 noted that similar programmes in other French cities produced an average 8 percent increase in local hiring within two years of launch.
Procurement notices for the tram contractors will be published by 15 August, with construction permits expected to clear by the end of October. The apprenticeship intake opens for applications on 1 September through the city employment office on Rue Caulaincourt.