Transdev expands public transport services in France’s Greater Reims Urban Community

Credit: Transdev

Transdev has announced that it has signed a public transportation concession contract for the Greater Reims Urban Community in France, marking a significant step in the company’s commitment to transforming local communities and reducing individual car use.

The new contract covers 143 municipalities and is set to provide nearly 100,000 daily journeys. Starting on 1 January 2024, the urban and rural mobility services will expand to cover 9.8 million kilometres per year, a 36% increase in regular transportation. This expansion will include over 200km of new lines, seven high-frequency express lines, 14km of bus rapid transit (BRT) and a light rail service departing every 10 minutes from the Champagne-Ardenne TGV station.

To encourage the shift from private cars to public transportation, the Greater Reims area will see enhancements in transportation on-demand (TAD) services, an increase in the availability of bicycles for long-term hire and improvements to eight Park & Ride facilities. In addition, the bus and coach fleet will transition to biofuels, biogas and electricity, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Transdev Grand Reims will formalise its commitment to the region by becoming a message-driven company from January 2024. It aims to be the first company in an urban community with a mission to provide everyday mobility services, reinforcing its role in local life and contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society.

Thierry Mallet, Chairman and CEO of Transdev, said: “With operations in every region of France, Transdev has made the expansion of public transportation services, mainly on the outskirts, the cornerstone of its strategy. In this way, we are helping to respond to a twofold urgency: that of reducing the carbon footprint of mobility and that of preserving the purchasing power of the French people.”

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Transdev‘s efforts in the Greater Reims Urban Community reflect its broader strategy, implemented in various regions of France. It recently secured a public transportation services delegation contract for the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley and the Le Cotentin urban community.

In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the contract aims to introduce a low-carbon mobility offer with clean vehicles running on gas/biogas, biofuel, and electricity. The expanded network will offer increased frequencies, wider opening hours and improved passenger information services.

In Normandy’s Le Cotentin conurbation, Transdev has created the “Cap Cotentin” network to provide urban, intercommunal and transportation on-demand services. The aim is to offer passengers guaranteed intermodal connections, real-time information and fine-tuned service for employment areas.

Transdev’s commitment to these regions is supported by a network of apprentice training centres, where more than 500 drivers have been trained in 2023. The company also uses “employment buses” to reach potential candidates close to their homes, facilitating recruitment efforts.