Acronyms explained: What is France's RATP?

RATP stands for Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, and it operates the Parisian transport system. 

Formed in 1949, the RATP group is the third-largest urban transport operator in the world, managing and maintaining tens of thousands of kilometres of train lines, tram lines and underground networks throughout Paris and its suburbs.

The group extends beyond France too, with a presence in 15 countries across five continents. In total, it boasts 71,000 employees.

How does it differ from Ile-de-France Mobilités?

Ile-de-France Mobilités is the governmental authority that controls and coordinates the different companies operating the Paris-area public transport network and the rest of the Île-de-France region. 

This includes not just the RATP Group, but SNCF, and the nearly 90 Optile-affiliated bus companies.

How about TER, SNCF and TGV?

While we are on the topic of railways, why not look at some other related acronyms? 

TER: Transport Express Régional refers to the network of trains and coaches covering all the regions of France. Not high-speed, they serve cities and local towns and the TER network also includes 10 tourist routes (trains touristiques) for popular destinations.

SNCF: This is the Société nationale des chemins de fer français, the national railway company formed in 1938. 

Every day, this state-owned organisation operates 15,000 trains across France and Europe, carrying five million passengers.

TGV: Launched in 1981, the train à grande vitesse (high-speed train) is undoubtedly one of France’s stars. On a TGV, you can now make the 265-mile trip from Paris to Lyon in just two hours, compared to nearly five hours by car. In 2023, the TGV broke a new record, carrying 122 million passengers in one year.