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D.G. : « Like culture, we want AlUla to be at the forefront in some way. AlUla must showcase the best regional integrated urban transport experience. »
A.L. : « RATP Dev indeed has unquestionable experience – in the Paris region, but also in 18 countries on all continents. This ability to collaborate internationally is embodied in particular by the creation of interdisciplinary working groups (environment, design, operation, construction). The RCU and Afalula teams have also been inspired by the urban transport experiences of the cities of Dijon (France) and Casablanca (Morocco). »
D.G. : « The local population must be at the heart of the project and logically, plays an important role in its success by inspiring and guiding us. It benefits not only from a better quality of life (limiting traffic congestion, protecting the environment, improving connections between places) but also directly from the creation of numerous jobs. This engagement is at the heart of our vision of a sustainable and smart city and is part of the continuation of 120 years of group expertise. »
A.L. : « Of course, other solutions will be added to complete this offer. RATP Dev will implement electric bus technologies and, in a ‘test and learn’ approach, continue to define the urban transport strategy. This agile method, based on short-term innovation, testing pilot services and accumulating first-use feedback, is a keystone of the partnership. The RCU and Afalula have also jointly launched an active consultation with the population regarding their ambitions for local public services. »
D.G. : « The deployment of autonomous shuttle buses contributes to the reduction of light pollution around the historic sites of AlUla, as well as being a clean, durable, and intelligent solution. These shuttle buses are part of an automated, 100% electric transport system between the southern entrance to the Old Town and the sites’ southern parking lot. New routes from the Winter Park towards AlJadidah and Hegra are proposed at a later stage. »
A.L. : « A good example of this multi-modality is the development of autonomous shuttle buses. They are designed to illustrate RATP’s innovative spirit and make the local population and public decision-makers aware of an innovative collective mobility solution. »
D.G. : « The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) also expects a global approach, combining efficiency and durability. Our solution forms part of a wide range of complementary products and services, from trams to micro-mobility, capable of competing with private cars. »
A.L. : « One of the specific challenges here is the need to simultaneously engage with current residents and tourists, whose numbers will only increase in the future. For these two groups, their uses and their expectations are evidently not the same. »
« Implementing this kind of resource on a county-wide scale will take several years. RATP Dev is therefore committed to an “end-to-end” contribution: from the design of the urban transport scheme to its everyday operation and maintenance. That being said, local populations and visitors are already demanding an efficient service that meets their needs. »
« In AlUla, the development issues are immense, and urban transport is no exception. Both a driving force for regional development and a creator of links between the various projects, the future integrated urban transport system that will be deployed by RATP Dev will be fully integrated into the county urban development masterplans. »
Anne Lardoux, Director of the Environment & Infrastructures Division (AFALULA), and Denis Guillois, Chief Executive of RATP Dev Saudi Arabia, discussed the first few months of this collaboration.
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