Local variation of a national convention, a protocol was signed in Gironde between the gendarmerie and Keolis Bordeaux to strengthen the partnership between these two entities in the field of public transport
The safety of public transport networks is one of the government’s priorities. A national agreement was concluded on September 2 between Keolis SA and the national gendarmerie to strengthen the partnership between the two entities in the field of mobility.
Last week, a Girondine convention, adapted to the Bordeaux territory was signed by Pierrick Poirier, the director general of Keolis Bordeaux and Colonel Olivia Poupot, commander of the departmental gendarmerie group of the Gironde.
11 out of the 28 towns that make up Bordeaux Métropole, where Keolis is a public transport operator, are in fact in the gendarmerie zone.
“Without security, no trust”
“For us, safety is the first stone of the quality of service that we owe to our customers”, explained Pierrick Poirier. “Without safety, there is no trust and without trust, users go to other means of transport”.
If the number of attacks against Keolis staff did not significantly increase in 2020, Pierrick Poirier notes a clear increase in incivility. Obvious public drunkenness, non-wearing of a mask, consumption of alcohol in the tram, pickpocket, lit cigarette in the bus, agitated person getting on board, carrying a knife, “bench seat”, in short, everything that disturbs the tranquility of travelers. “They have tripled since the end of confinement. There is a certain Covid effect”.
“It’s not just a piece of paper”
“Public transport is a sure vector of delinquency”, recalled Colonel Olivia Poupot. “Either they are the place of commission of an offense, or they are used by delinquents to move around.” However, security remains a prerogative of the State. “We have every interest in displaying an ostensible presence to dissuade those who would like to take action, especially on the lines deemed to be the most sensitive”.
A partnership has therefore been set up for information and prevention actions, but also joint controls or data sharing, such as video protection images or even training.
“The intervention units will thus be able to improve their intervention techniques in a confined environment and the agents of Keolis will benefit from the assistance and expertise of the gendarmes”, underlined Colonel Poupot. “The goal is also, with referents, to put a link between the two entities”.
“It’s not just a piece of paper but something operational,” argues the director of Keolis Bordeaux. Promise was made to meet at least twice a year for a regular update.
Five main objectives
Departmental variation of the national convention, concluded on September 2, 2020 between Kéolis SA and the national gendarmerie, the protocol signed last week in Bordeaux pursues five main objectives. Fight against all forms of criminality and delinquency, against fraud and incivility on the Keolis Bordeau metropolis passenger transport network in the gendarmerie area of competence. Reassure and educate employees and users. Formalize crisis management procedures. Improve operational coordination between the gendarmerie and Kéolis Bordeaux Métropole services. Facilitate exchanges between the two entities and strengthen their mutual knowledge. This partnership should also make it possible to institutionalize the functioning of a future local “flow and mobility” security council which will soon be created under a departmental objective contract.
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