FRANCE
Operator Keolis has won a contract to continue to operate the Lyon metropolitan region bus and trolleybus network from 1 January 2025. The six year contract is expected to generate €269 million in annual revenue for the company. The Lyon network is France’s largest tendered network, with some 3,000 employees and 136 routes including eight trolleybus lines.
“We are proud of this win which demonstrates SYTRAL Mobilité’s continued trust in Keolis and its teams. The quality of the bids submitted for the two lots, the mobilisation of our teams; their expertise and their knowledge of the region were all outstanding. SYTRAL Mobilités’ decision comes as an acknowledgement of the enduring and unstinting hard work of Keolis’ teams in Lyon. Our commitment to the TCL network remains intact and will be demonstrated tomorrow in cooperation with all stakeholders and for the benefit of passengers. On contract launch, Keolis Bus Lyon will become a mission-driven enterprise and will support the social, societal and environmental ambitions of SYTRAL Mobilités,” said Marie-Ange Debon, Chief Executive Officer of the Keolis Group.
Keolis Lyon hired more than 600 drivers in 2023, and the company says it will hire at least 1,500 more over the course of the contract, and train 500 in the next three years.
To develop intermodality and promote active mobility, Keolis plans that several routes will be adapted to enable bikes to be transported on board. The company also plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 27% over the contract’s duration, and to substantially reduce energy consumption in buildings, water use and the generation of waste, whilst ensuring that 80% of its procurement will be local.
