Paris (AFP)
The State has signed with the company Hello Paris, a subsidiary of Keolis and RATP Dev, the public service contract to operate for 21 years the future rapid train CDG Express to connect Paris to Roissy airport in 20 minutes, announced Matignon Friday.
The group formed by Keolis (SNCF group) and RATP Dev was retained last November, to the detriment of its competitor Transdev (controlled by the Caisse des Dépôts).
"The contract will cover a period of 21 years, that is to say 15 years of effective operation in addition to the expected duration to ensure the commissioning of the CDG Express scheduled for late 2025," said Matignon in a statement , which specifies that the period preceding the commissioning "will allow in particular the operator to acquire the oars necessary for the service with the company Alstom".
"After the conclusion of the concession contract on February 11, 2019, allowing the completion of the railway infrastructure and the start of the works, the signing of the public service contract will complete the contractual set-up of the project and involve all the players in the project. its realization, "says Matignon.
32 km long, the new link will link the Gare de l'Est, in the center of Paris, to terminal 2 at Roissy airport. It includes a 1 km underground connection in Paris, and 7 km of new tracks - parallel to the TGV - from Mitry-Mory (Seine-et-Marne) to the airport. Between the two, the CDG Express will take existing tracks, parallel to those of the RER B.
This link "is essential for the economic competitiveness and tourism of the Capital Region and to promote the postponement of the movement of the road to the rail," says Matignon.
© 2019 AFP