RATP Dev contract Caen: Étoile de Caen rail takeover

RATP Dev contract Caen is now set after RATP Group’s transport subsidiary signed an agreement to run the Étoile de Caen railway network—ten lines surrounding the Caen metropolitan area in France, as reported by Rail Express.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Operations are scheduled to begin on July 11, 2027, for a 10.5-year term. During that period, RATP Dev will handle close to 20 per cent of the Normandy Region’s NOMAD Train TER traffic, according to RATP Group’s announcement. The operator added that a pre-operation phase starts this month to “secure the social, industrial, and commercial transition.”

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RATP Dev Étoile de Caen contract timeline and scope

Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, said the deal is a major milestone for everyday mobility in Normandy. He noted that rail transport has been a consistent focus for the region over the past decade, and said the network has improved substantially from what he described as a difficult starting point.

He pointed to recent indicators for Nomad Train. Morin said user satisfaction rose again to reach 93.3 per cent in 2025, and that ridership increased by 23 per cent between 2019 and 2025. He attributed better travel conditions to “massive investment” by the region, which has committed over €3 billion.

Normandy NOMAD Train TER operations and service changes

RATP Dev Chairwoman Hiba Farès said the company’s mission in Normandy is to reshape the everyday rail experience by applying expertise built across major public transport systems, together with RATP Group’s longstanding know-how in regional rail operations. From 2027, she said, passengers should see a “real, tangible difference,” citing more trains, greater reliability, and increased staff presence on the ground.

Farès also highlighted the workforce behind the service, saying rail operations depend on the women and men who run it day in and day out. She said RATP Dev began broad social dialogue during the tendering phase, laying the foundations for what will become the social pact of the subsidiary dedicated to the Caen network. The aim, she added, is to show how regional public policy goals can be translated into technical delivery.

RATP Dev said it will work closely with the Normandy Region to provide services in Caen that are more frequent, clearer, and more responsive. Transport supply is expected to increase by around 50 per cent between 2024 and 2028, with “major improvements on essential daily routes.”

Some corridors are set for sharp rises in frequency. The Caen–Cherbourg route is planned to move from four to eight trains per day, while Caen–Évreux is set to increase from one to eight.

Twisto network Caen la Mer and local multimodal experience

RATP Dev already operates locally through the Twisto network in Caen la Mer. The multimodal system includes three tramway lines and 72 bus lines, as well as services for passengers with reduced mobility. It also covers demand-responsive transport, bike-sharing, car-sharing, bike parks, and park-and-ride facilities, reflecting RATP Dev’s local network experience in Caen.

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