A new bus network, new drop-off center. In Puy-de-Dôme, the development and restructuring of the Clermont Auvergne Métropole public transport network is accompanied by the construction of another vehicle operation, maintenance and storage center, the first stone of which was asked at the beginning of April. It will also house the new head office of the operator T2C. Supported by the Joint Public Transport Union of the Clermont metropolitan area (SMTC-AC) and the metropolis, this project saw its project management entrusted to a group led by Oteis (TCE engineering) with the agencies L’Heudé & Associés Architectes (design) and Carles Hebras Maitrias Architectes (construction). It is expected to open in July 2025 for six months of testing.
Located in Cournon-d’Auvergne on 7 ha, it will include a set of two independent buildings, one for maintenance (8,700 m²), the other for the operation and administrative part (2,800 m²). To this will be added technical premises, a vehicle washing area, another storage area of 36,000 m² as well as 19,200 m² of planted area (landscaper: Brunner).
Sized for 190 buses, this “technicentre” was designed for vehicles running on carbon-free energy. In 2026, the two lines B and C, which will upgrade to a high level of service, will in fact be served by 40 electric buses. The rest of the fleet, which currently runs on natural gas and diesel, will be gradually converted to electricity, biogas or hydrogen. “Welcoming electric vehicles requires specific planning. For example, it is necessary to be able to easily access the roof of buses where the technical components are housed. The Cournon center will therefore differ greatly from the current one, designed for diesel,” explains Jean-Yves Bechler, general director of SMTC-AC. Electricity and bioNGV charging stations will also be present on the site. For hydrogen, a specific station will be set up near the depot.
The pride of place for French wood. Bioclimatic buildings were designed with frugality in mind. “Everything has its use.
There is no free architectural gesture,” comment the designers of L’Heudé & Associés. They will give pride of place to French wood which will be used on the facade of the entire double building, as well as in the structure for the maintenance workshops.
Renewable energies were the subject of particular attention with 18,359 m2 of photovoltaic surface installed (4.35 MWp), enough to cover the entire electricity needs of the bus fleet and the center itself. , the surplus being injected into the public network. A wood boiler room will ensure the site’s heat needs. Finally, recovery techniques and a lower flow rate will make it possible to divide water consumption for washing vehicles by five compared to the current depot. A total of nine work packages have been awarded. The cost of the project amounts to €50 million.
