Keolis Île-de-France: 6 innovations for a bright future

Île-de-France: a sustainable growth region for Keolis 

In a densely populated area like the Paris region, access to mobility and public transport in particular are essential to residents. This means that the region’s players must ensure that their services and networks are smooth and sustainable. Innovation is therefore a key factor in differentiating and optimizing services, particularly as the public transport market opens up to competition (buses in 2026, streetcars in 2029, etc.), a process that will conclude in 2039 with the last RATP metro and RER commuter rail networks. 

Already a key player in the region, with 200 million passengers transported by all modes (TAD, TPMR, bus, streetcar, metro, etc.), 90 million km covered per year and 5,000 employees across 28 subsidiaries, Keolis Île-de-France has the ambition, capacity and means to further strengthen its position. And that means rolling out innovations to meet local challenges, both with and for the Mobility Organizing Authorities. The aim is threefold: to improve the operational efficiency of public transport, accelerate the energy transition and enhance the comfort of all users on the networks. 

Innovation #1: Keobot, a multilingual chatbot for passenger information

Fares in the Île-de-France region vary not only according to the mode of transport, but also the line used. For occasional users, especially tourists and visitors, there is a high risk of misunderstanding the system and committing unintentional offences. With Keobot, its artificial intelligence chatbot, Keolis Île-de-France provides passengers with a tool that answers all fare-related questions in any language. The service can be accessed by scanning a QR code and opening a chat on the widely-used application WhatsApp. Keobot is exclusive to Keolis. 

Innovation #2: Analyzing regional mobility behaviors using GPS data  

Is it a good idea to expand a streetcar line to serve a shopping center? Should night bus service be offered on other routes? Would road users flock to a public transport alternative? To answer these questions posed by Mobility Organizing Authorities, the Keolis group and its subsidiary Hove have developed a digital solution that analyzes all mobility flows (road, pedestrian, public transport, etc.) using anonymized GPS data from cell phones. This comprehensive view of travel patterns, refined by sector and by time slot, gives precise indications for adjusting the transport offer to actual demand, measuring the impact of network developments on the use of different modes of transport and more.  

Innovation #3: QR codes to deliver local passenger information  

Bringing together the best of the physical and digital worlds, a new “phygital” passenger service uses QR codes to provide local information: 75% of Parisians are familiar with this technology. At stations, users scan a personalized QR code for each station to access information directly on their smartphone. The service answers a wide range of questions, such as: Where is my bus? Where can I find a toilet near the bus stop? Is the bus air-conditioned? Does it have a disabled access ramp? Do I have time to walk to the next stop? Where can I buy a ticket?  

Innovation #4: E-Paper, a next-generation energy-efficient display

Legible and energy-efficient, E-Paper kiosks use the latest electronic ink technology to display passenger information at bus stops. Autonomous (they run on batteries), they are less expensive and offer more extensive functionalities than the old system, including display of maps, updates on disruptions, connections to other modes of transport, and so on. 

Keolis Île-de-France has begun installing these new kiosks, a real performance tool to enhance the passenger experience. Thanks to them, bus stops are now connected to the entire bus network. 

Innovation #5: harmonizing digital tools to improve bus management

Keolis Île de France centralizes bus management within a single system: Korriva. This transformation improves the network's operational performance and provides all lines with a unified, more efficient management service. 

In addition, the Group has drawn on best practices to deploy a new tool chain called Kivia. It comprises four differentiating elements:  

- My Keolis Event: a digital alert system that enables a driver to warn colleagues of any incident on a bus (for example, damage requiring maintenance) or difficulty on a route (for example, a detour following an accident). Information is shared in real time. 

- My Keolis Assistant: a personal assistant for drivers, enabling them to check schedules, traffic conditions, line information and connections (for example, to warn passengers of possible incidents). 

- HEKTOR: the hypervisor for Keolis operations in the Île-de-France region, providing network managers with an immediate and complete view of network status. 

- My Keolis Management: to check bus regularity and improve punctuality using data.  

These four innovations have led to a significant qualitative leap of +12% in punctuality. 

In addition: Our collaboration with Stratio, a predictive fleet maintenance platform, has enabled us to improve equipment maintenance and availability. This solution is also used to reduce fuel consumption by encouraging our drivers to adopt eco-driving practices that we can measure. This partnership represents another performance lever for Keolis, with very positive results. 

Innovation #6: EcoPerf, the data platform for operations managers

EcoPerf is a datavision platform for operations managers. It delivers real-time data enabling managers to assess the network's performance and oversee its activity: line delays, notification of validation and unloading, availability of display units, etc. With these indicators available on a single interface, operations managers are in a position to respond immediately in the event of a problem to ensure that passengers always receive the best possible service.