ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi), Milan’s public transport operator, set its sights on expanding beyond Italy and competing in one of Europe’s most competitive transit environments—Île-de-France, the region surrounding Paris. The opportunity came in the form of Lot 40, a major bus service contract in the Croix du Sud area, south-west of Paris, tendered by Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM).
The challenge was steep: entering a tightly regulated French market, contending with strong local competition, and demonstrating the capability to operate in a new urban and regulatory context. ATM partnered with Steer to deliver a technically sound, high-impact bid—one that would mark a major step in ATM’s international ambitions.
Steer worked closely with ATM throughout the tender process, providing a full spectrum of strategic, technical, and operational support to shape a winning proposal:
We helped ATM shape a proposition that met the strategic and policy priorities of IDFM, positioning ATM as an aligned, responsive, and forward-thinking operator.
We translated ATM’s operational excellence to fit the unique geography and service requirements of the Parisian suburbs, including route design and depot strategy.
Our team forecasted future passenger demand, ensuring the proposed services would meet and exceed expectations for reliability, frequency, and user satisfaction.
We integrated electric and hydrogen vehicle options into the bid, aligning with Paris’s ambitions for decarbonisation and sustainable mobility.
Steer proposed interventions to boost farebox revenue and enhance service punctuality, demonstrating ATM’s commercial acumen and operational discipline.
We guided ATM through the multi-stage submission process, incorporating feedback from IDFM at each round to strengthen the bid and address any perceived gaps.
ATM became one of the first non-French operators to win a bus contract in the Île-de-France region—a significant milestone for both ATM and the broader European public transport sector.
Working within tight regulatory parameters, we helped ATM introduce innovative, resource-efficient service improvements, such as rerouting to support new development zones and key community services.
The success of the bid hinged on a trusted, collaborative relationship between ATM and Steer, combining ATM’s operational strength with Steer’s international insight and experience in competitive tenders.
As Europe’s public transport markets become more open and interconnected, Steer is proud to support ambitious operators like ATM in realising their international growth goals. This project exemplifies how integrated advisory support can unlock new opportunities and deliver transformative outcomes in complex, competitive environments.
For advice on breaking into new public transport markets, contact Antonio Beltran Arranz or Sonia Faini.
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