The cost politically according to the choice of the route between 4 and 6 billion euros

At the controls of the RATP for two months and a half, Pierre Mongin wishes to revive the old project of the "métrophérique" to decongest network intramuros, the creation of a Metro underground, built in

2 or 3 kilometres from the device with a station all kilometres and interconnected with the purpose of subway and bus. "Here in ten years, 20 travel will suburb to suburb", be believes the new CEO, regretting the current "concentric" system which requires the passenger to pass through Paris. The cost politically, according to the choice of the route, between 4 and 6 billion euros.

Former Director of cabinet of Dominique de Villepin to the rank of the assets of the company, the reputation of the RATP brand with a strong social dialogue, a guarantee of service and the records of attendance with 2,813 billion passengers in 2005 considers however that the latter has several challenges. Its indebtedness amounts to 4.2 billion euros, the fact of its participation in the financing of infrastructure, on which the company will launch a working group. She also suffers from an obsolescence of its heritage (network and rolling stock), the replacement value is fixed at EUR 40 billion. The investment program was thus brought to 900 million in 2006 against 500 to 600 million five years ago. Another problem: the insufficiency of large strategic investment in Ile de France since the end of the RER in 1975. Too focused on Paris, such as Meteor, they do not meet the needs of the Comuni of which the population is in strong growth.

As the RATP is evolving in a new institutional context: since the month of March 2006, the STIF (Union of the transport of Ile-de-France), the organising authority of transport, is chaired by Jean-Paul Huchon, President of region, and by the prefect. From a legal point of view, the regulations "public service obligation", discussed in the European Parliament this fall, and no doubt permanently adopted next year, widespread competition in urban transport. "We face the challenge of competition once we accept the competitiveness among us", said Pierre Mongin.

Monopoly cessation

Currently in a situation of monopoly on the Paris Metro, the RATP must waive if it wants to retain the right to develop in the province and abroad. Ile-de-France still has significant growth potential, particularly in the large Crown and the Parisian basin. In the province, the company sit down its activity through its various subsidiaries, especially Transdev wished to "increase its involvement" in this subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts which it currently owns 25.

Reaffirming its commitment to its integrated enterprise, the new boss has taken a series of 17 commitments, all validated by the Board of Directors, last Friday, and giving the lines of its strategy for the years to come. The 2008-2012 business plan, which succeed one covering the years 2004-2007, will have to integrate them. If he has never led a company of his life, the successor of Anne-Marie Idrac seems to be returned with ease in the new fiscal year, but still highly anticipated by reason of a mixed reputation in the field of social dialogue.