« […] Let us build the Charles-de-Gaulle Express. Let us undertake other ambitious and efficient projects. A country that has no projects is a country without ambition. It is therefore a country with no future. We will return to major projects and we will bring together synergies nationwide to serve the needs of these major projects. […] »
Speech by French President Nicolas Sarkozy during the inauguration of Satellite 3 at Paris - Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, Paris on Tuesday, 26 June 2007.
CDG Express is truly an exemplary project for it combines competitivity, environmental protection and urban development all in one. Competitivity, for today every major city in the world has an express line linking their major airport with the city center. In a ontext of strong competition between European and International airports, CDG Express is an essential component in the attractiveness of our capital. Environmental protection, for at present 80% of travel between Paris and Charles-de-Gaulle airport is by car. With traffic congestion, travel time can sometimes take two hours: an environmental and economic nonsense, and notwithstanding the stress of maybe missing a flight! In other words, sometimes just getting to the airport is a real hassle for millions of tourists every year. Urban development for we will take advantage of the work needed to build the CDG Express to completely "renew" the RER B regional express line. We want to return the RER B line to its user, taking better heed of user's needs as well as their lifestyles. If we really seek to radically change things in terms of transportation, we need to be able to offer travelers real alternatives, i.e. modern, fast and well equipped transportation solutions. Clearly, public transport has to become more competitive than cars. We are offering everyone the choice of moving differently… by moving cleanly. I therefore wish CDG Express well!
Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of State, Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Growth and Development