Around the world, as the demographic weight of urban areas increases, the need to

provide all residents with efficient, low-energy public transport has become a major

political issue.

France has experienced a surge in urban public transport that began in the 1970s. First

with the creation of metro lines in the largest cities, then with the launch of many modern

tram networks in the Paris region and in medium-sized cities, and, more recently, with

the creation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines when heavy modes were not justified.

To support these development efforts and the use of urban public transport by citizens, an

institutional and financial framework has been put in place by governments and constantly

improved.

The aim of this brochure is to present the organization of urban public transport in France

in all its diversity, including ten or so monographs illustrating some original aspects

of the practices and know-how of local authorities' (the organizing authorities) and large

French passenger transport groups.

We hope that this brochure will shed light on the French system and thereby contribute to

sharing experiences in the field of urban transport.