Keolis awarded a contract to operate the public transport network of the french Riveira urban Community

13th June 2019

On 29 April 2019, the French Riviera Urban Community selected Keolis to operate and maintain its public transport network called Zest. This new six-year public service delegation contract starts on 8 July 2019 and is expected to generate a total revenue of €60 million. Keolis’ missions are to reinforce the transport network offer across the 15 cities and villages of the community and modernise the network by rolling out new digital services, including Wi-Fi access in all buses. Keolis has committed to increasing passenger numbers by 17% and boosting revenue by 24% across the whole network between now and 2025.

Expanded public transport coverage

From 8 July on, Keolis Menton Riviera - Keolis’ new subsidiary’s name – will start operating the network, including transport for extracurricular activities. Transport coverage will be improved across all the cities and villages of the French Riviera Urban Community.

In Autumn 2019, an electric shuttle service will be introduced in Menton as part of a one-year experiment. It will serve the city centre, the train station, the casino, as well as the beaches. With enough space for around 20 passengers, it will run every day of the year between 9am and 6pm at 20 minute intervals.

In September 2019, the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin service will be modified with the introduction of a new intercommunal shuttle service and, in January 2020, the integration of lines currently operating across the Vallée de la Roya which will reinforce the wider network. A new shuttle service will simultaneously commence operation in the Turbie commune.

From January 2020, 50 new buses will join the fleet and all the buses running on regular lines will be air-conditioned and will feature low floors to facilitate access for persons with reduced mobility.

A new digital passenger experience

Symbolising the modernised network, which will now be featured on Moovit and Google Maps, the French Riviera Urban Community and Keolis wanted to introduce new digital tools and services that passengers will be able to use from this summer:

  • Passenger information will be significantly improved with new digital screens in various cities and villages across the urban community: 10 e-paper screens at bus stops – powered by solar panels – will display bus arrival times in real time, and 20 screens will be installed in shopping centres, hospitals, stations and schools across the urban community. In addition, a flash code system will provide real-time information

  • An Operational-Aid and Passenger Information System will be deployed so that vehicles can be geolocated in real time.

  • Passengers will have Wi-Fi access on buses and at Menton coach station. Furthermore, USB sockets will be available on the buses.

  • The new website and smart phones (M-ticket) will enable ticket puchases and transport reservation including on-demand transport and services for persons with reduced mobility.