Maubeuge

Local authorities sought to provide a new transportation backbone connecting key areas of economic activity and services across Maubeuge and the Val de Sambre valley.
Development of a new Bus Rapid Transit system infrastructure targeted passenger growth and rejuvenation of the wider bus network.

• Plan, deploy, operate and maintain a costefficient and high quality solution across multiple districts.
• Assure a reliable, high-performance and attractive service to transform ridership numbers.
• Guarantee faster journey times and increased frequency at peak hours.
• Optimize passenger information systems and multimodal interchanges.

• Veolia Transdev's upstream consultancy and engineering company, Transamo, accompanied the local authorities in the planning, conception, legal and technical implementation of the rapid transit infrastructure and operation.
• The high-capacity route crosses several interchange points and converge at a redesigned multimodal hub at the central train station, connecting urban and regional bus lines, train services, bicycle and taxis.
• A carefully planned reserved bus lane infrastructure connects key residential and commercial areas, high schools and hospitals.
• Dedicated lanes for cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized transport.
• Launch of an entirely new urban bus network, timetables and passenger information around three backbone lines of BRT.

• Priority traffic control at junctions in addition to constantly monitoring the real-time service delivery through a centralized automatic vehicle location system (AVLS).
• Increased safety at crossings and junctions.
• 15 stations and 30 stops were specially designed and constructed to fit for an improved approach by the driver and quick - 100% accessible - boarding and alighting for passengers.

At the station or on-board, passengers have a variety of real-time information available to empower their mobility choices and transfers.

• Arrival times and any potential delays are clearly displayed on special screens also capable of delivering spoken information for the hearing impaired and visually impaired.
• In-vehicle screens show the exact progress along the route and audio announcements give guidance about the next stop and interchanges.

• The entire fleet of Créalis buses are Euro 5 and EEV standard, ensuring low emissions and low noise-pollution.
• Layout, seating, and even lighting are all carefully considered to provide passengers with a pleasant trip.
• Local associations for persons with reduced mobility were consulted about the design and application of low floor doors, ramps and specially equipped seating areas.