In tourism, crises are a bit like trouble—like the saying goes, they come in swarms, a notion attributed to Jacques Chirac.
Bus operators, like other sectors, are currently facing several crises that are colliding with one another. According to the FNTV 2025-2026 activity report, the year 2025 was already a tense one.
After two years of growth, activity slowed down due to the political context and economic uncertainty.
And 2026 looks set to be even tougher. In mid-April, BlaBlaCar announced the closure of its subsidiary dedicated to Cars Macron, while bus operators have just acquired vehicles to operate routes served by the company, as Ingrid Mareschal, the FNTV’s general delegate, told us.
For its president, Jean-Sébastien Barrault, 2026 is now the year of the energy crisis.
“We are no longer in a growth-driven dynamic, but once again confronted by an energy crisis following the conflict in the Middle East. Moreover, the sector must now cope with vehicle delivery difficulties.
Global demand is strong, European production capacities have diminished, and manufacturers are struggling to secure spare parts.
On top of that, tax increases are piling up. Business leaders are adapting, but the accumulation of hurdles weighs on their morale“, he explained in this 40-page document.
Bus operators, like other sectors, are currently facing several crises that are colliding with one another. According to the FNTV 2025-2026 activity report, the year 2025 was already a tense one.
After two years of growth, activity slowed down due to the political context and economic uncertainty.
And 2026 looks set to be even tougher. In mid-April, BlaBlaCar announced the closure of its subsidiary dedicated to Cars Macron, while bus operators have just acquired vehicles to operate routes served by the company, as Ingrid Mareschal, the FNTV’s general delegate, told us.
For its president, Jean-Sébastien Barrault, 2026 is now the year of the energy crisis.
“We are no longer in a growth-driven dynamic, but once again confronted by an energy crisis following the conflict in the Middle East. Moreover, the sector must now cope with vehicle delivery difficulties.
Global demand is strong, European production capacities have diminished, and manufacturers are struggling to secure spare parts.
On top of that, tax increases are piling up. Business leaders are adapting, but the accumulation of hurdles weighs on their morale“, he explained in this 40-page document.
“Doing more with less should not be a slogan, but a method,” says the FNTV
In light of this assessment, the union emphasizes its full mobilization to its members.
Moreover, part of the sector also has to contend with a cut in public expenditure, while activity is sometimes subsidized, as is the case for urban or school transportation.
“Our challenges are immense: to succeed in the energy transition, to expand the offering, and to spark a genuine desire for coach travel to persuade more users to leave their car.
All of this within a tight budgetary context, where public money is becoming scarcer, against a backdrop of generalized cost increases, especially of fuels.
Doing more with less must not be a slogan, but a method“, continues the union president.
According to him, it is time to secure longer contracts and a more collaborative approach that would allow bus operators to project themselves into the long term.
They would thus be better positioned to invest in a newer, more environmentally friendly fleet.
“A proactive rather than punitive approach can help optimize our fares rather than embedding penalties in the prices, which mechanically raise our offers.
In other words, solid contractual practices can enable greater influence, faster decarbonization, and control of public expenditure. Our clear objective is to defend modern, safe, and accessible coach mobility.
But to succeed, we need a stable, coherent, and ambitious framework“, concludes Jean-Sébastien Barrault.
Moreover, part of the sector also has to contend with a cut in public expenditure, while activity is sometimes subsidized, as is the case for urban or school transportation.
“Our challenges are immense: to succeed in the energy transition, to expand the offering, and to spark a genuine desire for coach travel to persuade more users to leave their car.
All of this within a tight budgetary context, where public money is becoming scarcer, against a backdrop of generalized cost increases, especially of fuels.
Doing more with less must not be a slogan, but a method“, continues the union president.
According to him, it is time to secure longer contracts and a more collaborative approach that would allow bus operators to project themselves into the long term.
They would thus be better positioned to invest in a newer, more environmentally friendly fleet.
“A proactive rather than punitive approach can help optimize our fares rather than embedding penalties in the prices, which mechanically raise our offers.
In other words, solid contractual practices can enable greater influence, faster decarbonization, and control of public expenditure. Our clear objective is to defend modern, safe, and accessible coach mobility.
But to succeed, we need a stable, coherent, and ambitious framework“, concludes Jean-Sébastien Barrault.
The FNTV welcomes the Ambition France Transports conference
Among the positive achievements of 2025, the Ambition France Transports conference stands out.
It enabled the drafting of a framework law on transport development, presented to the Council of Ministers on February 11, 2026. It established a framework offering financial prospects and clarified governance for road passenger terminals.
Moreover, the famous Cars Macron, celebrating their 10th anniversary at the time, surpassed their pre-crisis activity level.
“”They have undoubtedly earned their place in the mobility offer, but their development will depend on upgrading infrastructure, especially road stations.
By tackling this issue head-on, one can hope that the law resulting from the Ambition France Transports conference will give a boost to the ‘Cars Macron’,” explained the union president.
He also mentioned a reduced tension in employment, particularly for drivers, even though the balance remains fragile. The average age of drivers exceeds 50 years. A significant renewal will therefore need to be undertaken in the coming years.
A substantial effort to rejuvenate and modernize the profession remains to be pursued.
It enabled the drafting of a framework law on transport development, presented to the Council of Ministers on February 11, 2026. It established a framework offering financial prospects and clarified governance for road passenger terminals.
Moreover, the famous Cars Macron, celebrating their 10th anniversary at the time, surpassed their pre-crisis activity level.
“”They have undoubtedly earned their place in the mobility offer, but their development will depend on upgrading infrastructure, especially road stations.
By tackling this issue head-on, one can hope that the law resulting from the Ambition France Transports conference will give a boost to the ‘Cars Macron’,” explained the union president.
He also mentioned a reduced tension in employment, particularly for drivers, even though the balance remains fragile. The average age of drivers exceeds 50 years. A significant renewal will therefore need to be undertaken in the coming years.
A substantial effort to rejuvenate and modernize the profession remains to be pursued.
Amara Nambinga
