Keois to operate France’s first 100% electric transport network

On 15 November 2018, Orléans Metropole, the local transport authority, renewed its trust in Keolis for the operation and maintenance of its public transport network, known as Tao. The new contract will start on 1 January 2019 for a six-year period and is expected to generate a cumulative revenue of 395 million euros.

In order to deliver a 100% electric transport network, Keolis will provide support to Orléans Métropole to achieve its ambitious objectives, this includes the renewal of the entire bus fleet with electric vehicles by 2024. Tao will then become the French transport network with the lowest level of carbon emissions. A range of innovative mobility services will also be introduced, including contactless payment on-board buses and trams, which will enhance the passenger experience.

Orléans Metropole (282,000 residents) has renewed its confidence in Keolis Group to deliver the operation and maintenance of its multimodal transport network called Tao, which serves 22 communes in the region. Keolis is the incumbent partner of Orléans’ transport  authority and has been managing their network since 2012. 

As part of the new six-year public service delegation contract, Keolis will manage the operations and maintenance of the tram and bus networks,1 services for people with reduced mobility, the bike-share scheme and longer-term bike rentals.  

The Group will also introduce a range of ‘agile’ mobility solutions, including a dynamic, on-demand transport service, which passengers can reserve up to just five minutes before departure either by phone, internet or mobile app. The service will cover 20 communes in the outer suburban areas of Orléans, including a number of schools and special employment zones and will run every day from 6am to 9pm. 

"Keolis is proud to support Orléans Métropole in its mobility policy, which is highly ambitious in terms of innovation and has a strong focus on economic efficiency," Frédéric Baverez, CEO for Keolis France. "From 2019 onwards, these new services will mean we can better meet the mobility and sustainability objectives of Greater Orléans. We particularly welcome the fact that by 2024 we will have helped the Tao network to achieve the lowest level of carbon emissions in France."

About Keolis

Leading the way in public transport, Keolis partners with public decision makers to make shared mobility an asset for cities and their communities. Internationally recognised as the leading operator of trams and automated metros, Keolis adopts an innovative approach with all its partners and subsidiaries (Kisio, LeCab, EFFIA, Keolis Santé and Cykleo) to develop new forms of shared and customised mobility, and reinforce its core business across a range of transport modes including trains, buses, coaches, trolleybuses, shared private hire vehicles, river shuttles, ferries, cycles, car sharing services, electric autonomous vehicles and urban cable cars.