Italian ATM has been shortlisted among preferred bidders for three bus lots in Paris region (with Transdev and RATP)

Transdev, RATP CAP Île-de-France and Italian-based ATM (that in early 2024 launched a French division) have been announced yesterday, 25 March, by Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) as preferred bidders for three new bus lots in Paris, previously managed by RATP as a monopoly. ATM’s entry into the French market would mark the first time a foreign operator has been awarded a contract in Île-de-France.

The three companies have been shortlisted to operate 3 lots in the Ourcq, Massy-Juvisy and “Croix du Sud” sectors of Paris and its inner suburbs, as part of the ongoing process of opening up bus services to competition, as IDFM writes in a press note. Now the incumbents will be put to the vote of the Île-de-France Mobilités Board of Directors at its meeting on April 10, 2025.

RATP and Transdev awarded two lots

RATP Cap Ile-de-France, the RATP group’s regional subsidiary, was awarded lot no. 36, covering 19 routes in the southern part of the region, managed from the Massy and Morangis bus centres. RATP will then continue its operations in this area.

Transdev has been selected for lot no. 44, which includes 19 bus routes in RATP’s historic core, including the Flandre and Les Pavillons-sous-Bois centres. This marks Transdev’s first RATP contract win. Additionally, Transdev will retain its management of Lot no. 1 in the Grande Couronne Optile network, covering 30 routes and two transport-on-demand services.

It should be noted that Transdev is also the preferred bidder to succeed itself for one of the first Grande Couronne Optile lots put out to tender, lot no. 1. This includes 30 routes, two transport-on-demand services and two bus operations centres (Génicourt and Magny en Vexin).

Paris bus services: also ATM shortlisted in tender

The biggest surprise came with ATM, the Italian operator managing Milan’s urban transport, winning lot 40, known as the ‘Croix du Sud’ This lot includes 18 routes, five of which are Noctilien (night buses), managed from the Fontenay-aux-Roses centre. ATM’s entry into the French market would mark the first time a foreign operator has been awarded a contract in Île-de-France.

Paris bus services up to competition

The three batches of bus routes in Paris and the inner suburbs will be offered as part of a competitive bidding procedure for buses in Paris and the inner suburbs, leading to the establishment of 13 public service delegation contracts. As for the outer suburbs, this will be the second generation of contracts, with the transition from a public contract to a public service delegation. The opening up of the entire Ile-de-France transport network to competition, as required by European and national regulations, began in 2021.