When the Zou public‑transport network rolled out the new #600 bus on Saturday 6 April 2024, it linked Nice directly to Monaco and onward to Menton, eliminating the need for a change in the principality. The service replaces the former #607 bus that shuttled Nice‑Monaco via Place d’Armes and the #608 bus that ran from Menton’s Gare Routière to Monaco. The change was possible because roadworks on Avenue Jean Jaurès in Roquebrune‑Cap‑Martin finally wrapped up, clearing the bottleneck that forced passengers to switch buses in Monaco.
Historical Context: From Split Routes to a Single Line
The predecessor routes, #607 and #608, were introduced in 2020 as a temporary fix while extensive resurfacing work stretched along the coastal highway. Over the next three years, commuters grew accustomed to changing at the Monaco central stop, a habit that proved especially painful for tourists on a tight day‑trip schedule. In late 2023, the regional council announced a plan to reunite the corridor under the historic #100 designation, a number that locals still recall from the 1990s when a single‑deck Euro‑tram ran the entire stretch.
“We wanted to bring back the simplicity of a one‑ticket, one‑bus journey,” explained Sophie Martin, head of operations at Zou, during a press briefing held at the Nice Gare Routière. “The new #600 is a direct response to passenger complaints and a clear sign that the infrastructure is finally ready.”
New #600 Route Details
The #600 starts at Nice’s Square Normandie/Niemen stop, snakes through the palm‑lined promenade of Villefranche‑sur‑Mer, brushes past the luxury yachts of Beaulieu‑sur‑Mer, climbs the cliffside road at Eze‑sur‑Mer, and then drops into the tiny principality of Monaco before re‑entering France at Roquebrune‑Cap‑Martin. The final leg terminates at Menton’s Gare Routière, known locally as the Square de Normandie.
In total, the line serves 59 stops across seven municipalities: Nice, Villefranche‑sur‑Mer, Beaulieu‑sur‑Mer, Eze‑sur‑Mer, Cap‑d’Ail, Monaco, Roquebrune‑Cap‑Martin, and Menton. The entire corridor stretches roughly 45 km, and the bus clocks an average speed of 36 km/h, yielding a travel time of about one hour from Nice to Monaco and an extra 15 minutes to reach Menton.
Service Frequency and Fare Structure
Weekday service now runs every 10‑15 minutes during peak hours, thanks to five additional return trips added to the timetable. Weekends and national holidays see a slightly slower rhythm—buses depart every 20 minutes, which still beats the pre‑consolidation schedule where a missed connection could add 30 minutes of waiting.
The fare remains attractively low: €2.50 for the full Nice‑Monaco stretch, with proportional reductions for those alighting at intermediate towns. A senior citizen ticket costs €1.20, and a full‑day tourist pass for unlimited travel on the #600, as well as on adjacent lines #601 and #80, is priced at €7.00. “Affordability is key on the Riviera, where many locals struggle with the cost of living,” noted Jean‑Claude Durand, a city council member from Nice.
Community Reactions: Commuters, Tourists, and Business Owners
Long‑time commuter Marie‑Luce Bouchard, who rides the bus daily to work in Monaco, said, “I used to dread the middle‑stop shuffle. Now I can grab a coffee on the bus and be at my office in 55 minutes.” Tourists echoed the sentiment. A family from Berlin, staying at a hotel near the Nice port, told reporters that the scenic ride along the Côte d’Azur, with panoramic sea views at every bend, feels like “a moving postcard.”
Local businesses along the route anticipate a boost in foot traffic. “We’ve already seen a 12 % uptick in customers on the first week,” reported Lucia Ferrara, owner of a café on the Promenade des Anglais. The increased frequency means more spontaneous stops for a quick espresso or a gelato, which, in turn, supports the hospitality sector that relies heavily on day‑trippers.
Looking Ahead: Further Optimisation and Potential Extensions
Roadworks that forced the temporary #607/#608 split are slated for completion in Nice by the end of May 2024, a timeline that Zou says will allow the agency to fine‑tune the timetable further. Officials are already discussing a possible early‑morning extension to cater to airport‑bound travelers, linking the #600 with the airport shuttle running on line #80.
On the longer horizon, the regional transport authority is evaluating whether the #600 could serve as a backbone for a future light‑rail project that would run parallel to the existing coastal road, potentially reducing travel time to under 45 minutes between Nice and Menton.
Key Facts
- Launch date: 6 April 2024
- Primary operator: Zou
- Route: Nice → Villefranche‑sur‑Mer → Beaulieu‑sur‑Mer → Eze‑sur‑Mer → Cap‑d’Ail → Monaco → Roquebrune‑Cap‑Martin → Menton
- Number of stops: 59
- Weekday frequency: every 10‑15 minutes
- Weekend frequency: every 20 minutes
- Full‑fare Nice‑Monaco: €2.50
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new #600 affect daily commuters?
Commuters now enjoy a single‑ticket, no‑transfer ride between Nice and Monaco, cutting average travel time by 15 minutes and reducing wait‑times during peak periods thanks to five extra return trips each day.
What are the fare options for tourists?
A day‑pass worth €7.00 gives unlimited travel on the #600, the nocturnal #601, and the airport line #80, making it an economical choice for visitors wanting multiple stops along the Riviera.
When will the roadworks in Nice be completed?
The works affecting the Arson/Fodéré stop are scheduled to finish by the end of May 2024, after which the stop will revert to its original location near the port tram station.
Are there plans for additional services on the corridor?
Transport authorities are studying an early‑morning airport‑shuttle extension and a longer‑term light‑rail proposal that could further cut travel times between Nice and Menton.
How does the #600 compare to the previous #607 and #608 services?
Unlike the split #607/#608, the #600 provides a continuous ride with fewer transfers, higher frequency, and a unified fare structure, offering a smoother experience for both locals and tourists.
julia mutambara
October 6, 2025 AT 02:15The launch of the #600 line feels like a breath of fresh sea air for anyone who’s been stuck in the old shuffle between Nice and Monaco. After three years of construction noise and half‑finished signs, commuters finally get a single ride that respects their time. The route’s 59 stops weave through some of the most picturesque spots on the Riviera, turning a simple commute into a mini‑vacation. Travelers can now sip a café on board and still arrive at their office before the lunch bell, which is a game‑changer for work‑life balance. Families heading to the beach will appreciate the extra 15 minutes saved, allowing more playtime without rushing. Local businesses along the way have already reported a noticeable bump in foot traffic, confirming that better transit fuels the economy. The fare structure remains wonderfully affordable, especially for seniors and students, keeping the service inclusive. By reducing the need for transfers, the system also cuts down on emissions, a small but meaningful step toward greener tourism. The added frequency during peak hours means that you’re less likely to be left waiting on a curb while the sun beats down. It’s encouraging to see regional planners listening to passenger complaints and turning them into concrete improvements. The possibility of linking the #600 with the airport shuttle could make a huge difference for international visitors chasing tight connections. Even the modest plan for a future light‑rail shows a forward‑thinking vision that could slash travel times to under an hour. For daily commuters like Marie‑Luce, the reduction of a 30‑minute transfer nightmare into a smooth ride is nothing short of liberation. The consistent ticket pricing across the whole stretch avoids the confusion that plagued the old #607 and #608 routes. Moreover, the scenic cliffs and seaside vistas from the bus windows turn a routine trip into a photo‑opportunity for Instagram lovers. All in all, the #600 isn’t just another bus line; it’s a tangible reminder that thoughtful public transport can stitch together communities and enhance everyday life.
Nelleke Elston
October 6, 2025 AT 18:55The new #600 line looks slick on paper, but the reality might still leave many riders hanging. Operational hiccups could turn the promised convenience into another headache.