A “bad buzz” that the RATP would have done without.
This week, several media outlets spotted a job offer published by the Régie Parisienne, in which the main public transport operator in the region offered a
“student job”
that was original to say the least: driving trams on the T1 lines, T2, T5, T6 and T8 of the Ile-de-France network.
The objective?
“Maintain a sustained transport offer, while allowing a correct proportion of agents to go on leave”
, explains the RATP, which specifies that these
“five lines are widely used, even in the middle of the summer period”
.
In total, there are therefore 29
“temporary positions with student profiles”
which are
“to be filled within the network’s teams”
.
And if in fact, this recruitment is nothing new insofar as it is not the first summer that temporary profiles have been recruited by the RATP to lend a hand during the summer, many have surprised by the use of students to carry out tasks which seemed to be reserved for more senior profiles.
“It is still very doubtful to leave trams weighing several tonnes to students
,” writes this Internet user on X (formerly Twitter).
“From students to driving trams... Obviously everyone doesn't care about the safety of travelers and road users
,” says this other.
Read also RATP is focused at all costs on restarting the metro in Paris
Demanding and restrictive training
But thus accused, the RATP defends itself from any amateurism:
“the selection process includes psychomotor and psychotechnical tests as well as a personality inventory validated by the railway aptitude commission for the authorization of train drivers”
.
So many tests which aim, according to the group,
“to guarantee the candidates’ abilities in terms of reaction speed, gesture coordination, attention, concentration, memorization and reasoning”
.
In addition,
“the personality inventory makes it possible to evaluate the future candidate on his behavior in complex or stressful situations
,” continues the Régie, which has since withdrawn its advertisement.
In addition,
“those selected at the end of this selection process will benefit from one month of paid training in June
,” adds the RATP, before detailing its content:
“it includes theoretical and practical courses on the equipment , rolling stock, safety instructions"
,
"learning to drive without passengers, accompanied by an experienced machinist trainer"
as well as
"learning to drive with passengers accompanied, again, by a machinist trainer experimented"
.
Enough to reassure the most surprised.
Same story with RATP competitors.
At TCL/Keolis, which operates 4 metro lines and 7 tram lines, it is not uncommon to use students to drive the trams and even the metros.
“This is sometimes done in partnership with major schools, such as the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA)”
, recognizes the group, which ensures that these new recruits, as young as they are,
“obviously receive the same training as the other drivers”
.
And to add:
“we are asking for a long-term commitment, given the somewhat heavy training.
It's not just summer jobs, it's all year round
.
Also read: RATP is experimenting with a four-day week
A fairly widespread practice
And Paris and Lyon are far from being the only cities concerned, since other operators have also made this choice, in Nantes or Tours for example.
On the side of Semitan, the transport company of the Nantes area, seven to eight students are thus recruited as part of replacements, as mentioned by France 3 in this report.
A real student job, often better paid than traditional odd jobs.
At RATP, the proposed salary is
“2,800 euros gross for a full month, including precariousness bonus, paid leave and prorated 13th month”.
Finally, while some mock the RATP's recruitment difficulties, particularly in view of the holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer in Paris, the group was keen to emphasize that this recruitment was absolutely "not
linked to the Olympic Games
.
And, although few know it, the T9 tram line, operated by Keolis, is already driven by very special recruits.
Last year, the operator offered part-time permanent contracts to students as well as young retirees, who have since proudly transported passengers from Porte de Choisy to Orly.