The operator Keolis is “expected” to obtain one of the first three bus networks open to competition in the interior of Paris, while its historical operator, RATP, should keep the other two, Ile-de-France announced this Friday -Mobilités. the transport authority of Ile-de-France.
The allocation of these first lots must be proposed to a vote by the IDFM board of directors on November 12, for operation starting in August 2025 in the case of Keolis, and starting in November 2025 for the two lots that must be assigned to RATP. There are another ten lots to be awarded between now and October 2025.
The RATP keeps two “very important” lots
Keolis should obtain the “Marne et Brie” lot which groups the lines currently operated by RATP and Transdev between Seine-Seine-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Seine-et-Marne, in the municipalities of Chelles, Pontault-Combault or Even Montfermeil.
Six bus stations, including the Bussy RATP station (Seine-et-Marne), are affected with 39 lines (including 206, 207, 209, 211, 212, 213, 220, 310, 312, 320, 321 and 421).
The RATP, historical operator of the lines in the interior of Paris, would obtain the “Boucles Nord de Seine” and “Bords de Marne” lots, which cover the municipalities of Levallois-Perret, Clichy-la-Garenne, Saint-Ouen, Vincennes or Fontenay-sous-Bois, among others.
RATP management was delighted to keep two “very important” lots, according to an internal message.
Opening to closed competition
“We were aware that it would be very difficult to win everything,” stressed RATP general director Jean Castex. “But we were still able to show our know-how, with offers that decisively ruled out any social undercutting and any weakening of public service.”
Employees who join the new network must be able to continue working at their site with, in particular, a guarantee of remuneration.
In the large peripheries, the opening to bus competition that began in 2021 is completed with 36 contracts awarded to Transdev, Keolis (SNCF group), Lacroix-Savac and RATP Cap Ile-de-France.
After a sometimes complicated start, it was possible to recover and improve regularity thanks to “intensive hiring” carried out by operators, indicated in May Valérie Pécresse, president (LR) of the IDFM and the Ile-de-France region.
Source: BFM TV
