No more buses between Caen and its outskirts, this is the real novelty at Twisto at the start of the school year
By Christophe Jaquet
Published on
More flexible on schedules, less self-focused on Caen (Calvados)… For its back-to-school season, in addition to the development of its mobile app, Twisto highlighted the mediocre corrections to its bus lines in the Caen agglomeration. With two objectives: more trips from the outskirts to Caen; further adaptation to the habits and constraints of users.
Two modified lines for the CHU
As a result, the route and frequency of the buses are changing on several lines from this Tuesday, August 29, 2022. According to Twisto, line 5, for example, which runs from the Théâtre de Caen to Hérouville Saint-Clair, “circulates more often”. The first departure has been brought forward from 5:40 a.m. to 4:26 a.m. And the last return from the CHU, at the Morice stop, can now be taken at 00:59. And on this line, a departure takes place “every 15 minutes”, assures Laetitia Crinon, marketing director of Keolis Caen Mobilités. For Nicolas Joyau, vice-president of Caen la mer in charge of mobility, this development was decided “at the request of employees working staggered hours at the CHU”. It could also serve students, line 5 serving campus 5 of the University and Cité U Lébisey.
The construction of the new CHU in turn impacts line 8. During the fall, it will be extended to a new terminus after the François-Baclesse centre, which will stop “at its main entrance”.
Mondeville better off, the southern suburbs too
Mondeville is on its side better irrigated with line 21. After Cormelles-le-Royal, stops have been created to “better connect” the Charlotte-Corday district and the Barrey commercial area to the city center.
25 buses switch to biogas
In November 2021, Caen la mer and Keolis Caen Mobilités are running their first biogas buses. In this case, on line 9, from Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe to Caen, via Colombelles. A first order for 25 vehicles had been honored. Pay €8 million.
A second order has just been delivered for the start of the school year. Again 25 buses swapped diesel for biogas, including one equipped with “micro-hybridization” with an electric battery. By 2029, the entire park must be changed. In total, 200 vehicles, which must “reject 75% less greenhouse gases”, according to Caen la mer.
During the week, there are more journeys on line 30. It goes south through Grentheville, Soliers, Bourguébus, Castine-en-Plaine and Ifs. “Travellers will benefit from twice the frequency,” promises Twisto. And “more direct access to Caen station”. Above all, the first departure from Mondeville is brought forward from 7:12 a.m. to 6 a.m., like that from Caen station, from 7:02 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
Before Troarn, several companies joined the ZAC du Clos Neuf. Customers and employees can reach the “before 9 am” using line 31. A departure has just been added at 8:05 am, again from Caen station.
It remains to be seen whether attendance will follow. “It is picking up a little, but it remains less than before the Covid-19 years”, observes Laetitia Crinon. “In 2023, we set ourselves the objective of making 4% more trips than this year. »
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