FRANCE: The Normandie région has selected RATP Dev as preferred bidder for a contract to operate its first tendered package of regional passenger train services.
The Étoile de Caen contract includes the Caen – Coutances – Granville – Rennes, Caen – Cherbourg, Caen – Rouen, Caen – Lisieux – Evreux, Lisieux – Trouville Deauville and Trouville Deauville – Dives Cabourg routes, totalling 3 million train-km/year.
The final appointment of RATP Dev will be submitted to the regional assembly for approval in December. A mobilisation period will then begin, before the contract starts in July 2027.
‘This major project is fully aligned with our ambition to deliver high-performing, sustainable mobility services for local communities’, said Hiba Farès, President of RATP Dev. ‘If the vote confirms the result in December, our teams will be proud to share with the region our experience, commitment, attentiveness and understanding of the operational, social and regional challenges that this takeover would involve.’
RATP Dev said it has overseen the transition of more than 40 networks and 8 000 employees in France and internationally since 2011, and the transition period would be ‘carefully and meticulously managed’ to ensure a ‘smooth, transparent and reassuring handover’ for the région, passengers and employees.
The second tendering process covering Étoile de Rouen services is to begin this autumn, with further tenders planned for Paris – Granville services and lines from Paris St-Lazare.
