Keolis North America (Keolis) announced that the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) Board of Directors has unanimously awarded a three-year contract to Keolis to operate and maintain its bus network in metro Phoenix’s East Valley.

The contract includes four-year and three-year options that could bring the total contract term to 10 years. Keolis will assume operations when the base contract begins on January 1, 2024. 

The Valley Metro RPTA East Valley service area includes the cities of Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Mesa, and Scottsdale. There, Keolis’ dedicated transit personnel will be responsible for delivering operations and maintenance management for more than 30 fixed-route, express, and circulator bus routes.

“As we begin this new chapter with Keolis, we are excited about this partnership and the positive direction in providing bus service to our riders and East Valley communities,” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Valley Metro CEO. “Keolis has a proven track record in providing successful transit services across the U.S. and around the world. We look forward to bringing their expertise to the Valley to support our mission of connecting communities and enhancing lives.”

Areas of Focus for Keolis

As part of its proposal, Keolis will introduce a management team with experience leading, improving, and managing large-scale transit operations.

Other areas of focus for Keolis include resolving driver and technician shortages, reducing accidents, improving the availability of equipment to enhance service reliability, improving passenger satisfaction, and continually enhancing training programs for front-line employees. 

Operating more than 1,000 electric vehicles globally, Keolis is also well-positioned to support Valley Metro on the implementation of low or no-emission equipment.

Keolis, through its international Center of Excellence for energy transition, assists industry partners on the deployment of alternative energy fleets by compiling performance data from around the world, identifying best practices, and sharing lessons learned to support partners’ decision-making as they transition to greener fleets.