RATP Dev USA, a subsidiary of French RATP Group, has been awarded three consecutive contracts in the United States: two are new contracts, for the operation of the “TheBus” service in Prince George’s County, Maryland and for the operation and maintenance of “The COMET” network in Columbia, South Carolina, and the third is a contract renewal for the Camarillo bus network in California.
“We are very pleased to have been awarded these three calls-for-tenders. RATP Dev is once again proving how extensive and renowned its expertise is, while offering mobility services covering all transport modes. At RATP Dev, we are fully committed to providing safe and high-quality services in the U.S. and across our operations all over the world, offering to passengers the best transport mobility solutions,” said Laurence Batlle, President of the Executive Board, RATP Dev.
RATP Dev USA was awarded the Prince George’s County ‘TheBus’ contract on 26 June, and will operate the service, which will be available to over 900,000 residents in Maryland, north-east of Washington, D.C. It includes 28 scheduled bus routes, and runs for an initial term of five years from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2025. It includes a possible extension of three additional two-year periods. RATP Dev USA will provide ‘TheBus’ with a ‘turnkey’ service, directly overseeing the daily administration and management of scheduled routes in Prince George’s County. The network covers over 16,000km throughout the county with 78 peak-hour buses, wrapping around the eastern boundary of Washington D.C. in urban, suburban and rural areas.
Also beginning on 1 July is the operation and maintenance of the ‘The COMET’ network, including the network’s scheduled bus routes, demand-responsive transport, and paratransit, serving around 130,000 residents. The contract is for a five-year period, with additional three-year and two-year options, totalling ten years. RATP Dev USA will again provide a turnkey service, directly overseeing the operation and maintenance of approximately 175,000 service hours for scheduled routes, 15,000 service hours for demand-responsive transport, as well as 35,000 hours for transport services for people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
On 19 May, the City of Camarillo, California, renewed RATP Dev USA’s contract for the operation and maintenance of transport services, serving around 50,000 residents and includingg scheduled bus routes and demand-responsive (dial-a-ride) transport services. RATP Dev has served the City of Camarillo since 2015. The new contract will cover an initial three-year period, with the option to extend the contract for up to seven additional years. As part of RATP Dev USA’s acquisition of Roadrunner Management Services in 2018, Camarillo Area Transit (CAT) joins RATP Dev’s California operations alongside Santa Maria Area Transit, City of Lompoc, City of Solvang, and Ventura County Transportation Commission.
