EIB provides €50M loan to Métropole Rouen Normandie to fund France's bus fleet

This project contributes to the EIB’s investment goals by developing low-carbon public transport infrastructure, presenting passengers with an alternative to private cars.

Métropole Rouen Normandie has taken out a €50 million loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund its public transport network, with the goal of providing users with more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly mobility services.

This financing envelope supports several of the Métropole’s sustainable mobility projects, namely the purchase of 114 electric buses and 14 hydrogen buses for public transport services, and the electric retrofit modernisation of 29 buses and 20 coaches for school services. The project also includes upgrading the operating assistance and passenger information system and ticketing for the bus network. 

This EIB financing is part of Métropole Rouen Normandie’s mobility plan. The Métropole has a fleet of 450 buses. This included just five electric buses and no hydrogen buses at all in 2020, compared to 77 electric and 14 hydrogen vehicles today. The aim is to reach 237 ultra-low emission buses (electric or hydrogen buses, with no motor emissions) by 2026, over half of the fleet.

This project contributes to the EIB’s investment goals by developing low-carbon public transport infrastructure, presenting passengers with an alternative to private cars. 

“We thank the EIB for its clear and steadfast support for our Métropole’s energy transition strategy,” said Mayor of Rouen and President of Rouen Métropole Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol. Vice-President for Transport, Future Mobility and Active Modes of Transport Cyrille Moreau added: “We have made huge investments in low-carbon buses — €166 million during the current mandate — to provide the residents of our 71 municipalities with more efficient, accessible and environmentally friendly public transport.”

“The EIB is supporting regional authorities in their green transitions,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “These investments will have a direct, tangible impact on the daily lives of residents and passengers in the Métropole Rouen Normandie area. This shows that EU action can improve people’s quality of life and well-being.”