The public transport authority European Metropolis of Lille (MEL), based in France, has renewed its contract with Keolis for the operation of its public transport network, Transpole. As part of this new public service franchise, Keolis will operate the bus, metro and tram networks, and also V'lille, the city's bike-share scheme.

The seven-year contract, which will start on April 1, 2018 , is expected to generate a cumulative revenue of $2.3 billion. The objective is to increase network patronage to 223.7 million passenger journeys by the end of the contract.

Keolis will operate the mobility services for its 1.2 million residents, living across the 90 communities of the region.

"We are thrilled to continue working with the MEL and to make mobility services a key driver of development in the region. As a strong partner of MEL, we are commited to building the mobility of tomorrow by facilitating and simplifying passenger journeys on the Transpole network," said Jean-Pierre Farandou, Group Executive Chairman of the Keolis Group.