Keolis wins contract to operate buses in Greater Lyon
The 6-year concession begins on 1 January 2025 and is expected to generate annual revenue of €269 million.
Since 1 January 2025, Keolis operate the largest tendered bus network in France. Under a 6-year concession awarded by Greater Lyon’s mobility authority, SYTRAL Mobilités, Keolis Lyon operate and maintain 136 bus lines—including 8 trolleybus lines—in the metropolitan area. The deal also sets a high bar for progress on the energy transition. Keolis Bus Lyon, a new mission-driven enterprise (entreprise à mission), has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 27% over the life of the contract.
73
municipalities served
136
bus lines, including 8 trolleybus lines
3,000
employees, including 2,300 drivers
SYTRAL Mobilités’ decision recognizes the enduring, unstinting hard work of Keolis’ teams in Lyon. We remain committed to the TCL network and will continue to work with all stakeholders for the benefit of passengers. On contract launch, Keolis Bus Lyon will become a mission-driven enterprise and will support the environmental, social and governance ambitions of SYTRAL Mobilités.
Chief Executive Officer, Keolis Group
1,500 new hires over 6 years
Keolis Lyon has pledged to recruit at least 1,500 additional drivers over the life of the contract, and train 500 of them over the next 3 years. To increase the job’s appeal for drivers, the company will offer personalized rosters, adapting shifts to employee constraints and preferences. Keolis will also continue its push for inclusion and gender balance, aiming to boost women’s share of the workforce 30% by 2030 and recruit 12% of new hires among the long-term unemployed.
Better service for users
To expand intermodality and promote active mobility, several bus lines will be equipped to carry bikes. During disruptions, Keolis has pledged to notify passengers as soon as possible and resume service to deliver 80% reliability. The company will also increase staff on the ground, and create a User Reflex Lab to gain more insights into passenger expectations.
Energy transition assistance
Keolis will support SYTRAL Mobilités through its energy transition. In addition, it will launch efforts to cut energy consumption in buildings by 44%, and reduce waste generation and water consumption by 10%. Local vendors will account for 80% of procurement, and the company aims to achieve B-Corp certification1 by the end of 2026, in recognition of its compliance with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.