Since 2016, Île-de-France Mobilités has made substantial investments to ensure the energy transition of its bus network across the Île-de-France region, including upgrading related infrastructure.
As part of this initiative, the Point du Jour Bus Operations Centre (16th arrondissement) has been fully converted to electric, enabling the gradual transition of 19 bus routes to electric power.
On this symbolic day, the 1,000th electric bus enters service on the Île-de-France Mobilités network, operated by the RATP.
A total investment of 5.7 billion euros has been allocated by Île-de-France Mobilités for infrastructure conversion and bus fleet renewal.
This includes 1.5 billion euros for the construction and conversion of bus operations centres and 1.5 billion euros for the first 3,800 biomethane or electric vehicles.
The remaining 2.7 billion euros will be used for the renewal or conversion of the remaining 7,000 vehicles.
The goal of Île-de-France Mobilités is to achieve a 100% clean bus fleet in dense urban areas by 2025 and across the entire region by 2029, positioning Île-de-France as a global leader in low-carbon urban public transport.
The conversion of the Point du Jour Bus Operations Centre (COB), operated by RATP for Île-de-France Mobilités, marks a major milestone in the region’s ambitious transformation programme for bus operations centres.
Work on the Point du Jour centre began in 2021 and was completed in August 2024.
The upgrade was essential to accommodate electric buses, including:
- High-voltage connections installed by Enedis
- New electrical distribution systems to power 90 charging stations
- Enhanced fire safety measures, including automatic fire suppression, smoke extraction, and protective systems in compliance with ICPE (Classified Installations for Environmental Protection) regulations
Marianne Laigneau, Chair of Enedis’ Management Board, indicates: “Our teams are fully mobilised to adapt the electrical network and meet Paris and Île-de-France’s growing electricity demands, supporting the success of the Bus2025 project—an unprecedented initiative in Europe.”
So far, eight RATP-operated bus centres within Île-de-France Mobilités have been converted to electric power.
€28.6 million invested in the Point du Jour Bus Operations Centre
Île-de-France Mobilités has invested €28.6 million in the conversion of the Point du Jour centre, with additional support from the European Commission.
This bus centre, along with the Croix-Nivert Bus Centre, forms the Paris South-West unit, operated by RATP, which runs 19 bus routes and transports over 40 million passengers annually.
The Croix-Nivert Bus Centre is also set for electric conversion in early 2025.
The 1,000th electric bus enters service
With the launch of the 1,000th electric bus, Île-de-France Mobilités’ electric fleet has reached a major milestone.
This achievement is part of Europe’s most ambitious energy transition programme, aimed at addressing public health and industrial challenges.
Currently, over 4,000 clean-energy vehicles (electric or biomethane) are in operation across Île-de-France.
By 2029, all buses and coaches in the region will be replaced with clean-energy models.
To commemorate this event, the 1,000th bus will feature a special livery and operate for one month on Line 52 between Parc de Saint-Cloud and Opéra – Rue Halévy.
Bus2025 programme: A shift to electric and biomethane-powered buses
Under the Bus2025 programme, Île-de-France Mobilités and RATP, with financial backing from the European Union, are spearheading a technological and ecological transformation.
This initiative will see all RATP-operated bus centres in Île-de-France transition to either electric or biomethane power.
50% of centres will be electric, while the remaining 50% will run on biomethane.
As a result, the carbon footprint of bus operations has been reduced by 50% between 2015 and 2025, contributing to improved air quality across Île-de-France.
Valérie Pécresse, President of Île-de-France Region and Île-de-France Mobilités, says: “With over 10,000 buses and coaches operating daily in Île-de-France, transitioning to clean energy is essential. We have taken responsibility by supporting new powertrain solutions, including electric and bio-CNG.”
“In 2025, Île-de-France Mobilités will become the first network in the world to achieve 100% decarbonised transport,” she adds.
Jean Castex, CEO of RATP, states: “The completion of the Point du Jour Bus Centre’s transformation and the deployment of the 1,000th electric bus mark a decisive step in the Bus2025 programme, led by RATP at the request of Île-de-France Mobilités.”
“This initiative represents one of Europe’s most significant energy transition efforts in public transport, directly contributing to Île-de-France Mobilités’ goal of cutting bus-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% between 2015 and 2025,” he adds.
Richard Ferrer, Head of Alternative Fuels at the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), says: “This achievement is a collective success for RATP, IDFM, the region, the city, Enedis, and financial institutions. With 55 millioneuros in EU co-funding for the electrification of 11 bus depots and 300 electric buses, the European Union demonstrates its strong commitment to local actors working to enhance Parisians’ daily lives and drive new economic sectors while contributing to the European Green Deal.”
