Transport’s devolution drive excites minds at RATP Dev

The Government’s devolution of transport powers to England’s city-regions is being watched closely by RATP Dev, the subsidiaries arm of Paris state-owned public transport operator RATP. Andrew Forster met up with RATP Dev chief executive François-Xavier Perin and UK chief executive Tim Jackson

15 April 2016

Tim Jackson, RATP Dev’s UK chief executive (left), and François-Xavier Perin, RATP Dev chief executive

The five UK faces of RATP: Metrolink, London bus contracts, deregulated bus operations in Bournemouth, sightseeing tours, and coaches

It’s tempting to depict the debate about bus franchising as a struggle between local government and bus operators. The reality, however, is a little more nuanced. The Government’s promise of franchising powers has excited some in local government more than others – with most of the early interest coming from city-regions. And, although incumbent bus operators are likely to fight franchising all the way, competitive tenders open the door for new market entrants....