Following a call to tender, the the Sophia Antipolis agglomeration community (170,000 residents) chose Keolis to operate and maintain and maintain its public transport service from 1 July 2019 and to build a new bus depot.
The contract represents a key issue for the agglomeration, which wants to strengthen the appeal of its public transport network to support the strong growth of tourism and economic development in its region.
The new Envibus network, an initiative shared by the agglomeration community and Keolis, will be part of a proactive approach to environmental issues.
Accordingly, line A - linking the city centre of Antibes to the Sophia Antipolis Technopole over a distance of approximately ten kilometres - will be 40% comprised of dedicated bus lines, with a BRT service powered by natural gas. This form of propulsion represents an alternative to traditional fuel, generating fewer CO2 emissions. These next-generation articulated buses, built by the manufacturer Iveco Bus, will offer greater comfort to passengers and can carry up to 120 people.
Keolis will help the personnel adapt to the new working methods and specifics that the arrival of the BRT vehicles entails. Nearly 1,000 hours of training will be provided to the drivers, regulators and maintenance staff.
