PARIS Transport Authority (RATP) carried 1.034 billion passengers in the first half of 2021, a 19% increase compared with the first half of 2020 but still 42% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The reduction in Covid-19 restrictions resulted in a 5.1% increase in turnover to €2.887bn, with RATP’s Paris operation seeing a 4.4% increase in revenue, while the company’s subsidiaries around France and internationally recorded an 8% increase. Passenger numbers were 31% down on RER and metro services in June, and 19% down on light rail and bus services. Despite a €94m negative impact from Covid-19, RATP recorded an Ebit of €171m for the period, up from €114m compared with the first half of 2020. Group net revenue was €105m, up €193m compared with June 2020. Despite the pandemic, investment in the Paris region increased by 17% to €1.041bn, including €195m on the Line 14 southward extension to Orly airport on behalf of the Société du Grand Paris. This is part of an €8.4bn 2021-2024 investment programme ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Other major investments included the extension of metro lines 4, 11 and 12; tram lines T1 and T3b; the purchase of new rolling stock for RER Line B; automation of Line 4 and the modernisation Line 6.