Nantes

Nantes has been at the forefront of sustainable transportation for more than two decades and is recognized for its role as a leading force in the renaissance of urban light rail. The challenge therefore was to effectively plan, develop and integrate bus rapid transit into the transportation system and prove it could equal the efficiency and attractivity of the tramway.

Successful operation of the new BusWay^® line was a pillar of the Nantes Metropole "Urban Transport Plan 2000-2010", with an ambition to reduce modal share of private vehicles below 50%.

• Provide a new dynamic to mobility in Nantes while complementing the city's light rail, bus and multimodal services.
• Create a new high-frequency corridor serving the south of the city upon which a wider restructuring of the network could take place.
• Deliver a reliable, credible and attractive service at lower investment costs.
• Contribute to a city-wide jump in public transport ridership.

Veolia Transdev's upstream consulting and engineering company, Transamo, partnered with the local authorities in the technical, legal and administrative development of the bus rapid transit system, including detailed tender documents for the acquisition of vehicles.

BusWay® operates at the same level of service as the light rail:

• 3.5 minute frequency at peak hours,
• 6-7 minute frequency off-peak,
• extended services from 4.45 am to 0.45 am,
• NF quality certified for punctuality and customer service.

Vehicles use a dedicated double bus lane of 6.7 km with priority at junctions, traffic lights and roundabouts.

Result: 92.5% overall passenger satisfaction.

• The entire fleet of Créalis buses operate with CNG natural gas, ensuring low emissions and low noise-pollution.
• Electric automatic doors, double glazed windows and natural lighting ensure the highest standards of comfort.
• Accessibility ramps meet the platform edge and extend automatically for passengers with reduced mobility.
• 1,000 parking places at four facilities are directly connected to the BusWay® route, reducing congestion and pollution.
• Video surveillance adds extra security and even covers connected Park & Ride facilities.

• At all stops: real-time dynamic information on screen showing waiting times; audio information for the visually impaired and blind; accessible vending machines with sound.
• On board: visual and audio information, a map of the route showing passengers where they are on their journey, real time connections at transit hub.
• At transit hubs: dynamic traffic information and information panels with the real-time audio announcements for the visually impaired, guaranteed connections thanks to visual information for drivers connecting their route with the BRT.