The Normandy Region has designated RATP Dev, a subsidiary of the RATP Group, as the preferred operator for the Étoile de Caen rail services.
A contract finalisation phase will now begin between the Normandy Region and RATP Dev. The award will only become official following a vote by regional council members during the Plenary Assembly on December 15, 2025. A mobilisation period is scheduled to run from January 2026 through July 2027.
Hiba Farès, President of RATP Dev, said: "This major project is fully aligned with our ambition to deliver high-performing, sustainable mobility services for local communities and their residents. If the vote confirms the result in December, our teams will be proud to share with the Region our experience, commitment, attentiveness and understanding of the operational, social and regional challenges that this takeover would involve.”
This strategic package, made up of several major routes (Caen/Coutances, Caen/Saint-Lô, Caen/Evreux, Caen/Cherbourg, Caen/Rouen, Caen/Lisieux, Caen/Granville, Caen/Rennes, Lisieux/Trouville-Deauville, and Trouville-Deauville/Dives-Cabourg), would further strengthen the position of RATP Group and its subsidiary RATP Dev as recognised experts in rail operations and complex mobility projects, both in France and internationally.
The transition period would be carefully and meticulously managed by RATP Dev’s teams, drawing on their deep expertise in handling complex transitions. The teams are mobilizing now to ensure a smooth, transparent and reassuring handover for the Region, passengers and employees.
Since 2011, RATP Dev has successfully overseen the transition of more than 40 networks and 8,000 employees, including major networks in France and internationally. With seven rail lines currently in operation or under construction, RATP Dev will invest all its expertise in supporting the modernisation and performance of the Normandy network.