At the 23rd edition of the Ville, Rail et Transports Awards, recognizing the best initiatives of public transit authorities to develop urban transportation, three top “Pass” awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze Pass) and eight thematic prizes were awarded to local winners selected by a judging panel of industry professionals based on a thorough analysis of quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Seven of the awards recognized Transdev operated and partner networks:
Nantes receives Gold Pass for accelerating its transit network's coverage
Montpellier receives the Silver Pass for its light rail choice
Light rail, operating in Montpellier since 2000, now provides the city with network density and a high level offer comparable to Nantes or Strasbourg in a less populated urban community. Lines 3 and 4 commissioned in 2012 illustrate the strong coverage of Montpellier’s light rail network with its two million kilometers of lines. Among the network’s other strengths are its augmented service levels during rush hours and peak times, the breadth of the schedule on weekdays and on weekends and the effort to fight against fraud, all contributing to a sharp rise in the number of trips in the metropolitan area.
Le Havre receives the Grand Prize for Medium-sized Cities
As if further proof were needed, Le Havre again demonstrated the usefulness of light rail, even in a medium-sized city. Launched at the end of 2012, the two light rail lines combined with a concurrent overhaul of the bus network are already having an effect. Also noteworthy, at the same time as a reduction of 3.7% of kilometers produced resulting from the rationalization of bus routes, is an increase of 8.3% in network ridership compared to 2012, with 28 million trips in 2013, of which half were by light rail, and a peak increase in ridership of +25% recorded in July.
Thematic awards
Montpellier – Intermodal prize
With its digital marketing space and single travel card for all modes of transportation, Montpellier’s multi-modal Emma service has been offering single, simplified access to all Internet based mobility services since mid-April 2014. Information and advice on services and products, registration, purchasing or downloading of online services, monitoring consumption and reception of “customized” information on a personal account is available to all Montpellier residents via Emma.
Nantes – Modernization prize
Half of the bus fleet (285 buses) operating on natural gas has been modernized to give the vehicles a second life. These buses, equipped with a new gas injection device developed by SEMITAN teams with the help of the Thermal Machines Research Center, will see their service life extended for another five years (from 15 to 20 years).
Valence-Romans – Innovation prize
Since September 2014, Valence Romans travel has been offering a transportation card in the form of a sticker that can be affixed to the back of a mobile phone. The innovation, developed by local company Isra Cards is aimed primarily at teenagers who are more likely to carry their mobile phone than their swipe pass. The development of this miniature transportation card has responded to the challenge of being able to operate without the NFC functions being disturbed by the phone’s own emissions.
Grenoble was also awarded the City and Automotive prize for its three-wheel vehicle-sharing program.
The Ville, Rail et Transports Mobility Awards brought together 300 personalities from the transportation sector including public authorities, transportation authorities, operators, public and private organizations, manufacturers of fixed and rolling stock and public transportation engineering, equipment and media professionals.
About Transdev
A subsidiary of Caisse des Dépôts and Veolia Environnement, Transdev is one of the world’s leading public transportation companies.
Transdev advises and assists local authorities, from pre-project to daily operations of public transit systems to project management. With 86,000 employees in 20 countries, the company operates 48,000 vehicles and 23 light rail networks. Transdev generated revenues of 6.6 billion euros in 2013.