Thanks to the recruitment of hundreds of drivers, bus traffic in Paris and its inner suburbs, very disrupted since last summer, should return to normal within two months, estimated Friday April 7 the CEO of the Régie Autonomous Transport Parisian (RATP), Jean Castex. “We hope that around June we will already be back to something that the Ile-de-France residents experienced before the difficulties encountered since last year”he said during a visit by the Minister Delegate for Transport, Clément Beaune, to the Saint-Denis driver training center.
This will not be a return to the notional supply, however, he said: “5 to 6%” of the offer will not be available, “because there are always works, difficulties along the way… what are called external causes”. The RATP provided a bus service in September “barely 73%” forecasts. “We are at almost 89% today”he remarked.
“We had great difficulties in providing the service, in particular due to a lack of staff”recognized the boss of the RATP, recalling that“a very significant recruitment plan” was hired, aiming to recruit “at least 2,400 machinists-receivers” This year. “It’s gone well”he added: already 800 agents have been recruited, and 5,000 CVs received.
Salary increase
“The RATP must go out and reach out to the population to make itself better known, to explain what the job is about, by having people testify (…) bus drivers to explain their job (…)especially on social networks »explained the former Prime Minister, who arrived at the end of November at the head of the RATP.
“The company itself must be welcoming, attractive, benevolent, the quality of life at work must improve”, he said, slipping that the RATP has also increased wages. Drivers are trained in two months, including one to pass the D license.
“We expect a lot from you”launched Mr. Castex to a dozen future drivers, insisting on “the taste of service” and highlighting the possibilities of professional development in the public group. “We can and we must be proud of our public service”, for his part declared Clément Beaune. The quality of the service of the Paris metros and buses “improved very significantly”he greeted.