Clean Energy Bus Routes Launched In Antibes

The energy transition is under way with 123 electric vehicles, 107 of which are already operating

A programme of 100% clean energy bus routes, 100% Zou!, has been launched in the coastal city of Antibes in south-eastern France on the Côte-d’Azur, which claims to be the first of its kind in the country. The region operates one of France’s biggest non-urban transport networks in Alpes-Maritimes, with more than 12 million passengers a year. Working with its partner Keolis, it is developing a global strategy to improve transport provision and decarbonise the system in western Alpes-Maritimes as part of the Une Cop d’Avance climate plan, which is targeting zero emissions.

The energy transition is under way with 123 electric vehicles, 107 of which are already operating. The transition will be completed during 2024 with the deployment of 16 electric double-decker buses. As well as the environmental target, these routes aim to offer an optimum passenger experience to encourage users to choose public transport for their journeys. This includes provision of a new fleet with free wifi on board and a reading app.

“Zero emissions for our regional transport – this is one of the main targets of the ‘Une Cop d’Avance’ climate plan,” said Renaud Muselier, president of the ProvenceAlpes-Côte-d’Azur region and deputy chair of Régions de France. “To make this ambition a reality, Région Sud is deploying the only strategy of its kind in France to improve and decarbonise transport services. Developing clean, reliable, high-performance public transport will always be at the core of the region’s transport policy. With Zou!, leave your car behind and travel on 100% clean transport.”

Région Sud, the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur regional council, is investing more that €600m annually in transport. With the first local inter-urban network in France to offer an electric service, the aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 105,000 tonnes over the next eight years and to decarbonise all Zou! regional buses by 2028. The region’s investment in the newly opened routes over the next eight years will amount to €281m (excluding revenue), including an energy transition support grant of €24m.

“Keolis is proud to support the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region in its energy transition policy,” said Marie-Ange Debon, chair of the Keolis Group board. “We are working in close consultation with the region, and we share the same vision of the public transport service as a contributor to social cohesion, low-carbon mobility and dynamism for the economy and the tourism sector. Together, we are working to build a cleaner, more sustainable future for the region.”