Opening to competition: RATP retains control of two-thirds of bus lines, after the third wave of allocations

Its competitor, Keolis, is expected to win the operation of around thirty lines on the former historic monopoly of the Paris transport authority.

RATP is expected to retain control of three-quarters of the bus lines open to competition in the third round of tenders launched by the Île-de-France transport authority, Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), it announced on Tuesday, June 24. Its rival, Keolis, is expected to win the operation of 29 bus lines and one tram line on the former RATP monopoly. Since the start of the competitive bidding process, RATP has won around two-thirds of the lines in question.

The awarding of these public service delegations is subject to validation by the IDFM board of directors, which is scheduled to meet in early July. During the second wave, RATP lost 37 of its 56 lines to Transdev and the Milan-based operator ATM. This time, the incumbent operator is faring much better, notably managing to secure the second largest lot, the La Défense and Saint-Cloud buses. It represents 38 bus lines, approximately 2,200 employees, and nearly €220 million in annual revenue.

The lot acquired by Keolis is also significant, serving the municipalities of Ivry-sur-Seine, Vitry-sur-Seine, Orly, and the southern districts of Paris, with 28 bus lines, as well as the future TZen5 (a high-speed bus service between Paris and Choisy-le-Roi) and the T9 tramway. This represents 1,700 RATP employees who will be transferred to the SNCF subsidiary. The other two lots awarded to Cap Ile-de-France – the RATP subsidiary dedicated to operating buses subject to competition – each represent around €160 million in annual revenue.

For passengers, however, nothing should change since the lines remain the same, as do the fares and subscription cards, managed by IDFM.