This is the second consecutive year that revenue growth has exceeded 10%, and the first time it has surpassed €6bn.

Ebitda also increased by 6.6% from €392m in 2018 to €418m.

The increase in revenue was largely driven by the full-year effect of major contracts that began in 2018 and new contracts won in 2019, with the international share of revenue (53%) surpassing the French share (47%) for the first time in Keolis’ history.

A joint venture of Keolis and Amey took over the operation of almost all regional and commuter services in Wales on October 14 2018, with this contract generating €414m in turnover for Keolis in 2019, compared with €91m in 2018.

“The group continues its strong double-digit growth trajectory reflecting the robust development of our activities, notably internationally,” says group executive chairman, Mr Patrick Jeantet. “2019 marked a turning point in sustainable mobility and alternative energies which was illustrated in particular by emblematic wins internationally and by the launch of major mobility services in France.”

Commercial revenue from Keolis’ largest urban networks in France (with annual turnover exceeding €20m), reached €620m, up 3.6% from €602m in 2018.

Keolis was awarded a number of new contracts in 2019, including from Île-de-France Mobilités to launch and operate the tram T9 and the Bord de l'Eau bus network in the Val-de-Marne department.

In July 2019, the French government and the Hello Paris consortium comprising Keolis and RATP Dev concluded a concession for the future operation of the CDG Express, a new 32km rail link between Paris Gare de l’Est station and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. The contract includes a six-year preparatory period up to 2025 and a 15-year operating period until 2040.

In total, the Group operates or is preparing to launch 25 light rail networks worldwide.

Outlook

Keolis says it continues to see growth potential in the Île-de-France region centred on Paris, where the market is gradually being opened to competition, and it intends to respond to the calls to tender being issued by Île-de-France Mobilités.

Keolis is also preparing for the award of the Grand Paris Express automated metro operating contracts. The Grand Paris network includes 68 new stations along 200km of track, which will form a ring route around Paris along with lines connecting developing neighbourhoods, and extended existing metro lines.