Veolia Transport logo - Transporting people

Serving passengers and the transit authority

A contractual structure agreed in advance. Each contract with transit authorities or concession operators defines the scope of responsibilities and the division of risks.

Technical recommendations. Thanks to its operational experience, Veolia Transport can supply technical assistance to improve the service for passengers or the operation and maintenance of the system on a day-to-day basis.

Training and safety guaranteed. A training program is introduced for drivers and other staff. The topics covered include operations, safety, information and, above all, passenger relationships. Safety lies at the heart of the subject thanks to close cooperation with the public authorities and passengers.

Genuine integration between the various modes of transport: Veolia Transport is involved in the design of interchange stations, the coordination of services, fares and marketing strategy, passenger communications and information. Veolia Transport often operates the control center, which entails managing:

• vehicle movements
• signaling
• priority systems at intersections
• power supply
• video surveillance systems

System maintenance: Veolia Transport is often responsible for maintaining rolling stock and infrastructure. A good coordination between operations and maintenance guarantees the system's availability and safety.

High-quality monitoring: performance indicators are used to measure the quality of operations and maintenance. Quality programs and a quality of service measurement system (punctuality, cleanliness, comfort, etc.) are implemented.

Few light rail systems

Leslys: the express rail link between Lyons and its airport

In 2006, Veolia Transport and its partners were awarded the 30-year concession contract for Leslys, a light rapid transit system for the eastern Lyons area that will connect the city's Part-Dieu train station to Saint-Exupéry airport. Leslys will run partly on legacy railroad track owned by the Rhône departmental council, the contracting authority for the project. When it goes into service in 2009, Leslys will make its 22 kilometer trip in 25 minutes, with two stops along the way. We will be responsible for its operation and maintenance, staff training, commercial services and ticketing. We will offer tailor-made services through approximately 50 dual-role employees (driver/sales representative): on-board sales, fare integration with the metro, TER regional express train, long-distance trains, Air France, etc., more-personal reception and information, security for night services, accessibility for people with reduced mobility and the like.

Marseilles: working to increase transit ridership

The new light rail system in Marseilles, which went into operation in 2007, has two 11.2 kilometer lines that complement the city's 80 bus routes and two metro lines. The system will be managed and operated by the RTM-Veolia Transport consortium under an eight-year service concession (affermage) contract. One of the challenges will be to organize minimum service provision. The vehicles will have a commercial speed of 20 kph, and the number of trips provided by the Marseilles transit system should increase from 170 million to 200 million.

On-board batteries, to cross Nice's two main squares

Veolia Transport was awarded the contract to operate and maintain the light rail system in Nice, which will go into operation at the end of 2007. The system's 20 vehicles will cross Masséna and Garibaldi squares with their pantograph lowered. During that time, they will be powered by batteries that will be recharged by overhead contact lines during the rest of the journey. This first line will make 16 million trips per year.