The RATP Group is continuing its ambitious workforce expansion, announcing plans to recruit nearly 6,600 people worldwide in 2026. This large-scale hiring campaign is driven by daily operational needs and the looming revolution of the Grand Paris Express, which is set to transform mobility across the region.
After reaching a historic peak of over 7,300 global hires in 2025, the public transport operator is maintaining a high-volume trajectory. In the Île-de-France region alone, the company is offering 3,500 permanent contracts (CDIs) this year, targeting a wide spectrum of profiles from bus drivers to cloud architects.
Frontline Roles: 1,000 Bus Drivers Needed
The most visible roles remain the priority. To keep the region moving, RATP is looking to onboard approximately 1,000 new bus drivers and 220 metro drivers. However, the recruitment needs extend far beyond the driver’s cab.
The operator is also seeking to fill critical station and security positions, including:
- 470 station agents
- 350 operational managers and agents
- 130 ticket inspectors
- 75 agents, including canine units
These roles are deemed essential for passenger reception, traffic regulation, and the overall safety of the network.
Engineering and Tech: The Digital Backbone
With the network’s expansion come complex technical challenges. The 2026 campaign places a strong emphasis on maintenance, with 805 positions open in Île-de-France to ensure the reliability of rolling stock, infrastructure, and equipment.
The group is also hunting for specialized tech talent to build its digital future. RATP plans to hire 175 engineers for major projects and infrastructure, alongside 85 experts in technology and digital fields. Sought-after profiles include cloud architects, data scientists, and IT project managers, signaling a shift towards a more data-driven public transport system.
Preparing for the Grand Paris Express
The urgency of this recruitment drive is directly linked to the timeline of the Grand Paris Express. As the future infrastructure manager for all new lines, RATP is already ramping up its teams. Preparations are underway for Line 18, with infrastructure management starting this year, and Line 15 South, which the group will operate starting in 2027.
The progressive opening of these automated lines is creating new demands in maintenance, electrical engineering, signaling, and security, requiring a workforce ready to manage a next-generation metro system.
National and International Expansion
Beyond the Paris region, RATP’s subsidiaries are also fueling this growth. RATP Dev plans to hire over 3,200 people on permanent contracts in 2026, primarily in France and the United States, but also in Egypt, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, RATP Cap Île-de-France, which operates a large share of the suburban bus network and the T12 and T13 tram-train lines, is looking for 1,400 new employees, including 850 bus drivers and 120 bus mechanics.
Inclusive Hiring and Career Progression
To attract a diverse pool of candidates, RATP highlights its commitment to accessible, qualifying training programs that often require no prior experience or specific diplomas. The company underscores significant opportunities for internal promotion, with pathways allowing employees to switch between the nearly 270 different professions represented within the group.
The operator also continues its initiatives to feminize its workforce, promote inclusion, and support the employment of people with disabilities, reinforcing the message that it is building an entire ecosystem of professionals essential to public service.
