Keolis and Lacroix-Savac to modernise Île-de-France suburban bus network

Credit: Île-de-France Mobilites

Île-de-France Mobilités has announced that it has chosen Keolis to operate the bus lines in the west of the Grand Paris Sud urban community and the Haut Val d’Oise territory, as part of the public service delegations and the modernisation of the suburban bus network. The contracts will begin from 1 January 2024, for a period of seven years.

In addition, Lacroix-Savac has also been designated to operate coach lines in the west of Île-de-France and bus lines in Cergy-Pontoise, Conflans Sainte-Honorine and Acheres.

The decision had been validated by the Île-de-France Mobilités Board on 28 June 2023. These contracts were also part of the consultation procedures initiated in 2019 for 36 bus line lots in the Île-de-France public transport system.

For the west of the Grand Paris Sud urban community, Keolis will operate 34 bus lines, including a night line and three evening lines. The major municipalities served include Evry-Courcouronnes, Corbeil-Essonnes and Villabé.

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Furthermore, in the Haut Val d’Oise territory, Keolis will operate 29 bus lines, serving municipalities such as Beaumont-sur-Oise, Cergy and Pontoise.

Lacroix-Savac will operate 15 interurban coach lines serving the west of Île-de-France, including municipalities such as Cergy-Pontoise, Mantes-la-Jolie and Versailles. They will also operate 30 bus lines in the Cergy-Pontoise urban area, as well as in Conflans Sainte-Honorine and Acheres.

The opening of bus networks to competition in the outer suburbs had been initiated by Île-de-France Mobilités, in line with European regulations. Incumbent operators have been entrusted with operating the bus lines until 2021 through contracts signed by mutual agreement. These contracts involve a turnover of €900 million, 135 contracts, 1,200 bus lines, 10,000 drivers and 5,000 vehicles.

Île-de-France Mobilités aims to improve travel conditions for residents, focusing on a more efficient transport offer, regularity of buses, energy transition and innovation in passenger information. The emphasis is on achieving a balance between quality, economic performance and social conditions for public service delivery.