Improving bus networks
“Pluses on the buses”: Marseille, Allauch, Plan de Cuques and Septèmes les Vallons
“Pluses on the buses”: Marseille, Allauch, Plan de Cuques and Septèmes les Vallons
An ambitious approach to modernizing the bus network.
The bus network in Marseille, Allauch, Plan de Cuques and Septèmes les Vallons is the subject of an improvement project initiated by the Aix-Marseille Provence Metropolis, as part of its Mobility Plan.
The ambition is clear : to increase the number of urban public transport users by 50% by 2030.
To achieve this, work was carried out to adapt the bus networks, to the urban transformations of the Marseille basin, to the new rhythms of life of residents as well as to new uses analyzed on the basis of travel flows.
The result is a proposal for an improved and strengthened network with new services, new frequencies, as well as a road development program.
A network hierarchy will allow everyone to better understand how services work and will offer customers:
- – « lebus+» main lines which offer increased frequency and range,
- – « lebus» inter-district service lines to complete the network,,
- – « lebus proximité » shuttles to ensure very close or on-demand service,
- – And “Noctambus” night lines for 24/7 network operation.
In order to prepare for the energy transition, the bus network will be 100% electric by 2030, five years ahead of the targets set by Europe.
A consultation that has largely mobilized
Following a diagnostic and design phase, the bus network improvement project was submitted for public consultation in 2023. During this period, contributions from residents, associations, economic and institutional stakeholders were collected. The consultation was rich, thanks to everyone’s involvement, and many lessons were learned. The Aix-Marseille Provence Metropolis then carried out a significant analysis to integrate as many of these comments as possible and adjust the project to best meet residents and their expectations : adjustments to lines, routes, frequency, and timetable.
The major challenge is to improve the performance of the service to make it an even more attractive alternative to the car and broaden the range of users.
The “most in buses” project is being rolled out
Since the summer of 2024, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis has been implementing the “more on buses” project in Marseille, Allauch, Plan-de-Cuques and Septèmes-les-Vallons.
More services, better regularity, extended timetables… The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis
is starting to improve its bus network six months ahead of the initial schedule.
In order to support changes in habits, allow everyone to take ownership of the project and carry out appropriate road developments, the new bus network will then be rolled out gradually until 2030. In total 90 bus lines will make up the future Marseille bus network.
The first developments for 2024/2025 concern around twenty lines.
Since summer 2024
Extended evening hours from June 2024
7 lines have had their evening timetables extended : lines 19, 23, 72, 83, B1 and B2 operate until 1 a.m. all year round, and line 20 until 11 p.m. in June, July and August.
A new on-demand shuttle service, line 59, to La Garde Hill is available in the evening. Departing from the Vieux-Port, it serves the Vauban, Endoume, Saint-Victor, Bompard, and Roucas Blanc sectors, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., every 30 minutes, every evening.
A night network to campuses from the start of the 2024 academic year
In addition, a night network, called « Noctambus », operates to the campuses. The service operates three nights a week, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Departing from the Vieux-Port, from 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., line N1 serves, among other things, la Timone and Luminy, and line N2 serves Saint-Charles, Saint-Jérôme and the Château Gombert technology park.
What's new in 2025
Many more improvements are planned for 2025
Increased ervices in the city center, two new lines on the L2 and Boulevard Urbain Sud, new services around the BHNS B4 and tramway extensions are being prepared to facilitate travel this year.
BHNS B4 – Marseille
Arrival of 75 electric buses
To support the energy transition, 75 new electric buses will join the 21 buses already in operation, bringing the total to nearly 100 electric buses this year. Each year, new buses will be deployed in conjunction with the modernization and electrification work at Marseille’s bus depots, with the aim of reaching 100% of the fleet electrified by 2030.
A new network for Allauch and Plan de Cuques from summer 2025
Starting July 7, the municipalities of Allauch and Plan de Cuques will benefit from a completely reorganized bus network with much more frequent services, new lines, and connections to new destinations such as Valentine, Barasse, Le Technopole de Château Gombert, Fourragère, and Montecristo High School. This represents a profound transformation for greater mobility in this area.
La Ciotat/Ceyreste: A new network in July
Launched in 2021 with the adoption of the Local Mobility Plan, the overhaul of the Ciotabus network will take effect on July 7. This highly anticipated transformation marks a major development for this dynamic region, whose transportation network has not undergone significant changes for several decades.
Beyond better aligning transportation options with current travel needs, the new network is intended to be clearer, more balanced, accessible, and modern. It provides for improved service to major amenities such as the train station, the hospital, the Eden Theater, and the Ancre Marine commercial area, as well as strategic neighborhoods such as the city center, the iconic natural sites of Mugel and the Calanques, the Athélia business parks and the shipyards, not to mention residential areas such as Fardeloup.
A hierarchical network for an offer adapted to needs and neighborhoods
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- • A network backbone line that connects the station to the city center
- • Complementary lines to finely mesh the territory
- • A line dedicated to the commune of Ceyreste and its connection with La Ciotat
- • Two Transport on Demand (TAD) including one already existing in Athélia (with expansion of range) and a new one in Ceyreste
The new Ciotabus network now offers
- • A main line operating 7days a week, every 15 minutes during peak hours
- • Extended hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. continuously on all lines, including Transport on Demand (TAD)
- • Operation of all lines from Monday to Saturday + 4 lines on Sunday
A strengthened connection with the rest of the Metropolis
- • Reinforced service to the SNCF train station with 3 lines and 2 on-demand transport (TAD)
- • Intermodality reinforced by the creation of the Deruy Multimodal Exchange Hub (PEM), which will eventually house a P+R (Park and Ride), a bus station and all the functionalities of an exchange hub.
Improved accessibility and network modernization
- • The upgrading of around thirty additional stops by July, in addition to the 42 new stops created (target of 110 stops in the medium term) • The gradual deployment progressif of a clean fleet, with 4 standard electric vehicles to start with
- • Replacement of furniture at stops for more intuitive and harmonized passenger information
Cassis: Shuttles reorganized in July
To support the changing demand for mobility in Cassis, Carnoux-en-Provence and Roquefort la Bédoule for both residents and visitors, work has been carried out to reorganize the shuttles.
New lines
The new services, which will be launched on July 7th, will improve access to Cassis train station and the Gorguettes car park, thus facilitating car-free travel within the town.
From now on, three bus lines will be available to the public:
- • 371: Gare de Cassis – Centre Ville Casino
- • 372: Parking des Gorguettes – Centre Ville Casino
- • 373: Gare de Cassis– Parking des Gorguettes – Presqu’ile (en saison)
An offer adapted to seasonality
These lines will be gradually expanded throughout the season to accommodate increased traffic, whether during the holidays, the May bank holidays, or the summer months.
Full information will be available on the timetables.
Electric buses
The energy transition is also underway in Cassis. This year, three electric minibuses will be put into operation to ease traffic in the city center.
A bus on demand
To complement the services offered by the three new lines, an on-demand bus system (line number 376) will be available to the public to make journeys in less dense areas or areas not covered by regular lines.
School services
Continuing the work undertaken on shuttles, school services S400, S401, S403, S404, S405, S406, S407, and M9 will also benefit from adaptations to better accommodate student numbers and school service. The new maps and timetables will be available very soon.
Aubagne: a public consultation on buses
Following the redevelopment of the Marseille and La Ciotat networks and as part of the metropolitan objective of increasing public transport use by 50% by 2030, the Aubagne bus network is evolving.
A comprehensive study is underway to adapt the lines of the agglomeration (Aubagne) and Cigales (Gémenos) to the needs of residents and the specific characteristics of the area. This overhaul will also accompany the arrival of the ValTram Tramway, which will connect the Aubagne Multimodal Interchange Hub (PEM) to neighboring towns in the north, as far as La Bouilladisse.
In the spring, a consultation will be organized to allow residents to express their views and enrich the project.
lebus+, a high-level bus service (BHNS)
Lebus+, High-Level Bus Service (BHNS)
Lebus+, High-Level Bus Service (BHNS)
Bus Rapid Transit services (BHNS) are bus lines optimized to offer a high-performance alternative to traditional public transportation. They benefit from dedicated infrastructure, such as dedicated lanes, modernized stops, and priority at traffic lights, ensuring greater regularity and significant time savings for users.
The ambition of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Area is to develop an efficient and structured BHNS network, improving travel flow while promoting sustainable mobility. Thanks to their high frequency, extended timetables and increased comfort, these buses provide an alternative to private cars and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
lebus + from Miramas in spring 2025
Lebus+ in Miramas, also known as BAM, is a High-Level Bus Service (BHNS) line. This project aims to replace the current line 10, thus offering a more efficient public transport alternative adapted to the needs of users.
For more information about this project, click here.
Lebus+ from Aubagne at the start of the 2025 school year
The Bus+ Aubagne-Gémenos project aims to create a High-Level Bus Service (BHNS) line connecting Aubagne train station to the Gémenos business park. This new line will replace the current line 1 of the Aubagne urban network. It will follow a 6.5 km route serving the multimodal interchange hub at Aubagne train station, the Camp de Sarlier and Les Paluds business parks, the Martelle commercial area, and the Plaine de Jouques business park in Gémenos.
For more information about this project, click here.
Lebus+ from Marignane, Vitrolles and Pennes Mirabeau end of 2025
The ZENIBUS is a High-Level Bus Service (BHNS) in operation since 2016, currently connecting the municipalities of Marignane, Saint-Victoret, Vitrolles and Les Pennes-Mirabeau over a total length of 17 kilometers. It serves key areas such as the Estroublans business park, the Pierre Plantée bus station in Vitrolles and the Technoparc des Florides in Marignane. This project involves splitting the current line into two new separate lines : ZEN A and ZEN B.
These two lines will share a common 4-kilometer trunk in the commune of Vitrolles, including seven stations and three interchange hubs. This configuration will allow for increased frequency, with a service every five minutes during rush hour on this segment.
For more information about this project, click here.
Trams
Marseille: Extension of the Gèze Tramway
Marseille: Extension of the Gèze Tramway
The Marseille tramway extension to Capitaine Gèze, scheduled for late 2025, is a major component of the city’s north-south tramway network expansion project. This first phase aims to improve urban mobility by connecting key areas of the city. The northern extension stretches 1,8 km, connecting Arenc to Capitaine Gèze and including three new stations.
©STOA
For more information about this project, click here.
Marseille: Extension of the La Gaye Tramway
The Marseille tramway extension to La Gaye is a major project aimed at improving mobility in the city’s southern districts. This extension, scheduled for late 2025, will stretch 4,4 km, connecting Place Castellane to La Gaye, located near the southern hospitals. It will include nine new stations, providing better access to residential areas and business hubs in southern Marseille.
For more information about this project, click here.
La Bouilladisse, La Destrousse, Auriol, Roquevaire and Aubagne: The Val Tram
The Val’Tram project involves the existing tram line in Aubagne, in the Huveaune Valley, to La Bouilladisse. The project will run along the platform of the old railway line, known as Valdonne, for 13.2 km. The network diversion work in Aubagne, necessary for this operation, began in July 2023. As a reminder, it will serve five municipalities (La Bouilladisse, La Destrousse, Auriol, Roquevaire and Aubagne).
For more information about this project, click here.
Multimodal Exchange Hubs (PEM)
Multimodal interchange hubs (PEM) are infrastructures designed to facilitate connections between different modes of transport, such as buses, trains, bicycles, and cars. They aim to improve intermodality, i.e., the seamless transition from one mode of transport to another, by offering services adapted to user needs : bus stations, park-and-ride facilities (P+R), secure bicycle spaces, etc.
The Cap Horizon Multimodal Interchange Hub in Vitrolles
The Cap Horizon Multimodal Interchange Hub in Vitrolles
As part of its mobility plan, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis is planning the development of several Multimodal Interchange Hubs, including the Cap Horizon hub in Vitrolles. It will include a bus station with a 250-space park-and-ride facility. A landscaped esplanade, lined with shops and office buildings, will connect the bus station to an inclined elevator equipped with two cabins, providing a direct connection to the Vitrolles Aéroport Marseille Provence station (VAMP).
©STOA
The Saint Antoine Multimodal Interchange Hub in Marseille
The renovation of the Multimodal Interchange Hub, in Marseille’s 15th district is part of the Plan d’Aou / La Viste urban renewal program. It will provide access to Saint-Charles train station in less than 10 minutes. The Multimodal Interchange Hub is currently being modernized, made safer and expanded with :
• A 137-space parking lot,
• Five bus bays at the Multimodal Interchange Hub and two BRT bus bays on Avenue Saint-Antoine,
• A shade structure,
• A room for bus drivers,
• Two retention basins.