The Caen la Mer Urban Community has renewed its contract with Keolis, giving the group operating control of its urban transport network, Twisto, for the next six years. The new contract starts on 1 January 2018 and will generate a cumulative turnover of 345 million euros.
As part of the new public service concession agreement, Keolis will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the bus network, the transport service for people with reduced mobility, and management of the fleet of 650 bicycles. As of January 2018, the group will also operate the new city centre shuttle service, an electric minibus with the capacity to transport up to 22 people.
Keolis will also be responsible for the operation of the three lines of the new tramway network, due to be launched in 2019. The new network will consist of 23 trams, each one able to accommodate 210 passengers. The contract includes the removal of the rubber-tyred TVR tram from 31 December 2017, with the creation of a replacement bus network until the new steel-wheeled tramway system is launched. This is the first time in France that a heavy transport mode will be completely replaced by another.
New services to optimise the customer journey will also be introduced: an e-shop, a new ticketing system with contactless tickets, a new website during construction works and a route calculator. Simultaneously, the entire network will be modernised to deal efficiently with the 19.5% increase in ridership expected by 2023.
“We are proud of the trust placed in us by Caen la Mer to implement its ambitious public transport policy as part of a global, modern vision of mobility. Thanks to our renowned expertise in trams, we will support the urban community in the successful launch of its new tramway, thus helping to strengthen both the quality of life of its inhabitants and the appeal of this area,” Frédéric Baverez, CEO Keolis France, said.
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