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Bus and coach

With a fleet of 18,000 buses and coaches, Keolis is today one of Europe's leading operators in this mode of transport. Bus networks are the basis of all public transport in towns: they are the key form of transport in small cities and the 'capillaries' in larger cities, where a metro or a tram represent the main arteries and veins. In addition, as opposed to trams and metros, the staff is visible to the passenger and their image has a strong impact on that of public transport in town.

Keolis' bus and coach expertise is deployed in 85 urban areas and 70 regional departments in France, but also in Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Canada, where each of the subsidiaries is either the largest or second largest operator in its category in its country.

Bus services exist in a variety of forms:

  • City buses as part of a network serving a town and its outskirts. This can include transport-on-demand services or flexible routes at off-peak times;
  • Regional bus services, delivering passengers from further afield into town centres;
  • Intercity coach services;
  • School transport;
  • On-demand services such as coach charter, day trips…
  • Company transport taking staff to and from an industrial plant.

Expertise from start to finish

Keolis helps passenger authorities deliver reliable, punctual and high quality services at optimal cost and supplements its offer in a number of areas:

  • delivering advice on the best network routes and frequencies according to demand and characteristics of the zones served;
  • devising the best transport schedules using the latest scheduling technology;
  • managing the networks on a daily basis with driver and vehicle rosters which take into account particular situations or unforeseen events
  • maintaining vehicles and ensuring a high level of availability and reliability
  • delivering passenger information using real-time operational and passenger information software
  • being an active partner to local authorities and offering them advice on optimising services and developing new ones.
  • Remaining at the forefront of vehicle technology, renewing fleets whenever necessary, adopting the latest standards, and aiming for high fuel efficiency and low carbon footprint.

Key facts

Largest urban bus operator in France

A recent development is the emergence of bus rapid transit (BRT) lines in cities such as Lille, Lyon or Stockholm. With frequent and reliable services, sometimes in bus lanes and with priority at traffic lights, these BRTs have the characteristics of a tram service, with lower investment and infrastructure costs.

In Sweden, Busslink is the second largest bus company and the largest in Stockholm

In Denmark, City-Trafik is the most-rewarded operator in the country for its quality performances

In Canada, Orléans Express operates not only the high profile Quebec city-Montreal line but also a parcel courier service

In Belgium Keolis' activities spread across nearly 50 subsidiaries are the largest private operator in Wallonia and number 2 in Flanders

A developing range of alternative fuels for its buses: natural gas, emulsified diesel, ethanol, Diester, biogas

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