Testing on-demand transport in Seine-et-Marne
We’ve been testing JYVAIS, an eco-friendly, economical alternative to private cars, in rural communities in the Seine-et-Marne department east of Paris.
JYVAIS: transport on demand service
Rolling out an alternative to private cars
When you live in the countryside, you need a car to get around, whether it’s commuting, taking the kids to school, seeing the doctor, or just having some fun. But private cars contribute to climate change, and buying and operating a car is more and more expensive. People need reliable, cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles.
That’s the challenge we’re tackling with JYVAIS, our new on-demand, driver-operated transport service. SNCF Tech4Mobility1 is the driving force behind this initiative, which we tested from May to October 2024 in rural areas just outside Paris, in the Pays de Meaux and Pays de l’Ourcq, with the support of the Seine-et-Marne departmental council.
Shuttling locals to three types of destinations
The JYVAIS pilot project, in partnership with VIA Transportation and shuttle operator Viabus, carried residents in a 450 sq km area to three types of destinations:
- local government offices and shops
- arts and entertainment sites
- 5 SNCF Transilien stations on the P Line (Crouy-sur-Ourcq, Isles-les-Meldeuses, Lizy-sur-Ourcq, Meaux, and Trilport).
The experiment offered service at fares of €2 to €5 per person per trip, depending on the time and destination, and also periodically included other destinations, such as community gatherings and special events.
48
communities served by JYVAIS
450 sq km
covered across the two test areas
125,000
residents covered
Book a shuttle as little as 30 minutes before your trip
Trial participants could book a shuttle for themselves or someone else (children ages 11 to 18, elderly, parents, etc.) up to a month in advance—or as little as 30 minutes before their trip. Shuttles carried up to 8 passengers per reservation. There were two ways to book: a mobile app for iPhone and Android, and a call centre. All the information users might need was posted on a dedicated website for the duration of the pilot project.
Our JYVAIS experiment is one way for us keep pace with changing attitudes and the shift away from private cars to alternative mobility solutions in rural areas.
JYVAIS Project Manager at SNCF Tech4Mobility
Non-compete with existing transport options
The experiment complemented regular bus and train services, as well as the on-demand service operated by Île-de-France Mobilités. JYVAIS users were not permitted to book trips that could already be made using existing bus lines or the on-demand transport service available in the Pays de l’Ourcq and Pays de Meaux regions.
Trial participants
JYVAIS is led by SNCF Tech4Mobility1, which is also financing the project, with the help of 6 partners