[Source: Reuters]

Paris metro ticket prices will almost double during the 2024 Olympics, the French capital region’s president said, adding that residents with passes would be shielded from the temporary rise and visitors would be charged “a fair price”.

The mayor of Paris warned last week that public transport services, which are provided by the regional authority, would be insufficient during the events. The Olympics will be held from July 26 to Aug. 11 and the Paralympics from Aug. 28 to Sept 8.

“During the Olympics and the Paralympics, the Ile de France region will dramatically increase its transport offer. It is out of question that the residents support that cost,” the region’s president Valerie Pecresse said on social media.

“We’re going to create a new pass, the Paris 2024 pass, that will allow visitors to travel through the whole Ile de France region. It will cost 16 euros a day, and up to 70 euros a week. It is the fair price,” Pecresse said in a video.

She said a single journey metro ticket will cost 4 euros ($4.38) for the period from July 20 to Sept. 8, adding that residents of the region with a usual monthly or yearly pass will not be affected.

A monthly pass normally costs 84.10 euros, while single journeys currently costs 2.10 euros.

Last week, Paris mayor hit out at Pecresse, saying the French capital would not be ready in terms of transport.