RATP Dev secures Basque Coast transport contract

Credit: RATP Dev

RATP Dev has announced its latest venture in France by securing a new operation and maintenance contract on the Basque coast. The Mobility Syndicate of the Basque Country Conurbation Community has awarded the contract to RATP Dev Pays Basque Adour (RD PBA), a subsidiary of RATP Dev, to manage the TXIK TXAK coastal transport network for an eight-year and four-month term, effective from 1 September 2024.

The revamped transport network, aimed at enhancing inter-modality and improving overall performance, is set to cater to nearly 340,000 local residents across 161 towns and cities in the Basque Country and the Southern Landes region. With an emphasis on encouraging public transit over private vehicles, the initiative seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of travel in the region.

Serge Reynaud, RATP Dev Executive Director for France-Switzerland, said: “At RATP Dev, helping cities make the energy transition is in our very DNA. We are delighted that the Mobility Syndicate of the Basque Country Conurbation Community trusts our expertise and ability to support them in this undertaking. Together, we aim to reduce the number of journeys made by private car in the region by 52% between now and 2030.”

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The comprehensive plan includes significant changes to the transport infrastructure, scheduled to commence on 6 January 2025. Under the new arrangement, the TXIK TXAK network will witness a 20% increase in public transit kilometres, bolstered by streamlined bus routes, expanded service hours and improved frequency to accommodate commuters.

Key features of the revamped network include simplified and direct bus routes, round-the-clock service availability, enhanced frequency during peak hours and the introduction of eight dedicated bus routes tailored to major employers’ commuting needs. Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability, with plans to transition the entire bus fleet to electric vehicles by 2032, with electric buses already constituting 40% of the current fleet.

The collaboration between the Mobility Syndicate of the Basque Country Conurbation Community and RD PBA underscores a shared vision for sustainable urban mobility and underscores RATP Dev‘s commitment to advancing eco-friendly transportation solutions.