The former Prime Minister took the reins of RATP at a crucial moment, when the autonomous transport authority of Paris must transport future spectators and athletes of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. A considerable challenge that affects mobility, security, and social concerns. Castex sees it as a source of motivation. Interview.
You have been in charge of RATP for a year, has your view of this company changed?
I have always had a strong taste for public transport and the railway sector. I knew RATP as a user in the early 1980s when I started my studies in Paris, and then through my passion for the history of railways. I found a company facing very heavy challenges: the consequences of Covid, the opening to competition of buses, unprecedented recruitment difficulties… and of course, the prospect of the Olympics. But I also found extremely committed employees.
You do not control the revenues or the regional transport policy, what are your margins for maneuver?
Revenues are set by Ile-de-France Mobilities, as well as the price of the metro ticket, including the rates during the Games. Not by RATP. But we have a budget that gives us room to maneuver to realize priorities in terms of investments or modernization of the network.
Do you consider, like many, that RATP is in crisis?
Undeniably, RATP has not regained its pre-Covid level of excellence. But the situation has improved slowly over the course of 2023, notably thanks to the massive recruitment plan that I initiated and which has produced results, and we continue our efforts. There are also a number of less performing metro and RER lines due to their obsolescence. Some subways date from the 1960s-1970s. But a major program of renovation and replacement has been initiated by Ile-de-France Mobilities. And we will end the 2023 budgetary year in balance.
And the lines that will not be built after all?
The 16 and 17 lines of the Grand Paris Express should have partially opened before the Games, but the Covid crisis stopped all the work. But the work has resumed. On the other hand, we are doing everything to ensure that the extension of line 14 reaches Orly Airport before the Games. I can assure you that this file occupies me almost daily. The civil engineering works are over, the trains begin to be delivered, and we are changing the automation system of the entire line. This mobilizes thousands of RATP employees and subcontracting companies, and sometimes 7 days a week, including at night. This is a technological feat that will be credited to the know-how of our country.
Being worried is good but it doesn’t help much to advance the cause
The French are worried about the Olympics, about the capacity to transport all those who will go to the events. Are you worried, what is your plan?
Being worried is fine, and quite common. But it doesn’t help much to advance the cause. My role is not to be worried, but to act so that obstacles or challenges are successfully overcome. That’s why I’m very happy at RATP because there are many challenges to be met, both for the Games and for the daily lives of our fellow citizens. During the Olympics, there will be fewer people than today because many Parisians will be on vacation. To be very specific, today (Thursday) there were 11 million people on our lines, on the busiest days of the Games, there will be around 9.5 million. My subject is a human resources issue, ensuring that RATP agents who are also on vacation at this time of year can be there to cope. In this context, we are in the process of conducting social negotiations with the staff to achieve this.
Some areas near the Olympic sites may be overloaded…
Yes, there will be areas in Paris that will be busier. I’m especially thinking of the western part of Paris where there will be events at the Parc des Princes, Rolland-Garros, and Jean Bouin, and where we only have two metro lines, the 9 and 10. Transportation during the opening ceremony will also be a real challenge. But overall, I think we will be able to cope and we see this as a source of motivation!
I will stand for my succession
What about security?
There is strong mobilization from the police prefect, the state to ensure the security of our fellow citizens and we have our own security forces in the metro, who, like other staff, will be involved next summer.
Do you fear a strike during the Games?
We are working to ensure that everything goes well, including the social climate of the company. As I said, I am discussing with the trade unions and I think that collectively we will be responsible.
Will your mission at RATP end after the Olympics?
It turns out that I was appointed to complete the mandate of my predecessor (Catherine Guillouard) who resigned during her term for family reasons, and this mandate ends just before the Games. I confirm to you that I will be a candidate for my succession at that time.
