In January 2024, elected officials of the Lorient local authority renewed their contract with RATP Dev subsidiary RD Lorient Agglomération to manage the IziLo Mobilités network for a further eight years (until 2031). The first new features of this public service delegation are now coming to light. A new service called Ma navette, mon centre-ville (My Shuttle, My City Centre), has been introduced to make it easier for passengers to get around in central Lorient. This perfectly illustrates the Lorient local authority's wish to develop decarbonised transport in the local area. The fully electric mode of transport is free for the users of car parks in Lorient. In addition, 620 electric bicycles will be put into circulation starting on 1 July with the launch of a new service called IziLo Vélos.

Ma navette, mon centre-ville, a service that combines efficiency and sustainability in transport

By renewing its trust in RATP Dev to manage the IziLo Mobilités transport network, the Lorient local authority is betting on energising its transport network by offering decarbonised mobility solutions to local residents. The goal is to pave the way for seamless and sustainable public transport for all.

To make that ambition a reality, a new public transport offer has been up and running in Lorient city centre since last May. The new Ma navette, mon centre-ville service replaces the old Line 12 of the IziLo Mobilités network in the Lorient metropolitan area. 
In keeping with the energy transition of the Izilo Mobilités network, this new route is now being served by fully electric shuttle buses. This innovative shuttle bus service comes with three major improvements: a capacity of up to 35 people, extended battery range (from 150 to 175 km), and the integration of an on-board fast charging system that reduces the time needed to recharge the battery. Designed to roll smoothly through the narrow city streets, this bus is ideal for short-distance public transport between the central districts. The buses also have an automated access ramp for passengers with reduced mobility.

The service promotes intermodal transport by encouraging users of the pay-and-display car parks managed by the city to do the final stage of their journey on the bus. Customers who have paid to park in one of Lorient's car parks can use the local bus service for free. For the other passengers, the fares remain the same as usual on Lorient's IziLo Mobilités network.

Redesigning mobility for a decarbonised future

In continuing to pursue the development of eco-friendly transport in the local area, 620 electric bicycles are going into circulation starting in July as part of the new IziLo Vélos service. The bicycles will be available for short- and long-term rental so that the residents of the local municipalities of the Lorient metropolitan area (excluding Groix) can (re)introduce the bicycle as a way to get around from day to day.

In addition to launching the Ma navette, mon centre-ville and "IziLo Vélos" services, RD Lorient Agglomération will gradually replace its fleet of diesel buses in the Izilo Mobilités network with models that run on bioNGV (80% of the fleet) and hydrogen (20% of the vehicles in the bus and boats network). As part of these efforts, two new minibuses are now up and running on the island of Groix in place of the old diesel buses. 16 bioNGV buses are already running on the Izilo Mobilités network, and a further eight are to be delivered soon. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78% in the transport sector in the Lorient region.

"The Ma navette, mon centre-ville service and the new fleet of electric bicycles are a testament to our commitment to offering decarbonised and inclusive transport solutions to the people of Lorient, in line with the ambitions of the local authority. By trusting us once again to deliver the service, the local authority has let us continue to offer a service and mobility options that are ever-more appealing and less carbon intensive. In this way, we hope to convince local residents and tourists to use an alternative to their cars." explained Bruno Percheron, Director of RD Lorient Agglomération.