The concessionmodel

Following an international call for tenders, APRR has been in charge of operating its motorway network under a concession contract since 2006. As a concession operator, APRR undertakes to comply with the terms of the agreements entered into with the French State and, in exchange, to collect revenue from tolls. 

The French concession model is over 60 years old. It has enabled the construction of a dense, safe, reliable, clean and fast motorway network. Year after year, this concession model has proven its relevance and sustainability. Since 2006, it has made it possible to finance a large number of investments based on the "user pays" principle through tolls. This system makes it possible not to indiscriminately charge all taxpayers, but rather just customers of the motorways including those from abroad, many of whom use French networks.  

At the end of the concession contract, the developed, maintained, improved and debt-free motorway networks will be returned to the State, without any compensation. 

On the occasion of privatization, since 2006, the French state has imposed enhanced obligations on motorway companies in terms of quality of service, quality of infrastructure and level of maintenance. Motorway concession contracts are thus subject to strict maintenance and operating obligations to ensure the infrastructure is in good conditions and users are safe. 

These obligations result in specific performance criteria for:  

• the condition of structures and roadways, 
• response times for events,  
• waiting times at tolls,  
• quality of rest areas.