Urban Passenger Land Transport in France - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Urban Passenger Land Transport in France industry analysis

France’s urban passenger land transport industry is deeply rooted in the development of extensive transport networks, particularly in Paris, where public transit remains integral to the city’s daily life. State-owned entities like RATP and SNCF play a pivotal role in maintaining and optimising vast and efficient systems of metros, trams and buses to meet the demands of a steadily growing urban population in France. Continuous investments in connectivity improvements and modernisation projects support and enhance these networks, facilitating the advancement of sustainable urban mobility solutions across metropolitan regions. Over the five years through 2025, industry revenue is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.1% to €10.2 billion, with an expected hike of 0.5% in 2025.
France’s urban passenger land transport industry is currently witnessing significant transformations, driven by a strong focus on sustainability and technological advancements. Key initiatives, like RATP’s Bus2025, highlight efforts towards electrifying bus fleets and reducing environmental impacts, while SNCF's introduction of energy-efficient trains exemplifies advancements in rail transport. Cities, including Lyon and Marseille, are investing heavily in electric buses and modernising their transport infrastructures to future-proof their systems. Concurrently, modern ticketing systems are being enhanced to offer greater operational efficiency and user convenience. These innovations and strategic public-private partnerships foster increased ridership and service quality.
The future of France's urban passenger land transport industry is poised for significant enhancement through ambitious initiatives like the Grand Paris Express project and developments in autonomous vehicle technology. Such projects aim to substantially improve connectivity across regions, accommodating millions more passengers while alleviating congestion. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 1.1% to €10.8 billion. Despite challenges posed by emerging micromobility options, the potential for integration offers new growth opportunities. Embracing technological advancements, including autonomous vehicles and smart data-driven operations, will be critical for maintaining competitive advantage. These forward-thinking measures will ensure that France continues to lead in urban transportation efficiency and sustainability, effectively addressing evolving consumer demands and positioning the industry for long-term success.

Trends and Insights

• Urban public transport struggles to recover from the pandemic. Ridership levels across Europe were significantly lower in 2021 and 2022 compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
• Contactless tickets are becoming increasingly popular. Revenue attributed to journeys made using contactless payment methods has increased as technological advances like Apple Pay have made this payment method increasingly convenient, while season ticket sales tank following the pandemic.
• Competition in individual regions is low. Once urban transport companies win a contract, they have monopoly power in the area they serve, reducing competition. Nonetheless, Turkey has a substantial share of industry establishments, suggesting regional monopolies are less prevalent.