The TBM network (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) today covers a vast area well beyond the city center, with tram lines, urban buses, shuttles, and adapted services. Knowing how to read and utilize the map of this network changes the way one navigates the metropolis daily, whether for a commute or an occasional trip.
School lines integrated into the TBM network: an underestimated mobility lever
Since the start of the 2023 school year, the school circuits chartered by Bordeaux Métropole have been gradually integrated into the TBM network. This merger means that a single subscription or card allows for the combination of school trips and regular tram/bus connections.
For families, the practical consequence is direct: a parent dropping off a child on a school line can then continue with a bus or tram without needing to purchase another ticket. From the network’s perspective, these school lines now appear alongside regular lines, making it easier to read possible connections.
Consulting the tram and bus map in Bordeaux allows one to identify these school lines and check if they intersect with a tram or bus stop useful for the next leg of the journey. This type of mixed connection remains poorly documented in guides aimed at visitors or newcomers.
Express bus corridor to Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc: what it changes in the west
An express bus corridor between Bordeaux and Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc is currently being developed. The service is expected to operate with 100% electric articulated buses, introducing an alternative to trams for commuting flows from the metropolitan west.
For residents of Mérignac or Taillan-Médoc, this express line changes the logic of mobility. Until now, reaching the center of Bordeaux from these areas often required driving to a tram park-and-ride. The express bus offers a direct route, with travel times designed to compete with cars on this axis.
However, the available data does not yet confirm the exact frequencies or the definitive service start date. Field feedback varies on this point between institutional announcements and the actual infrastructure work schedule.
Park-and-ride facilities and tram connections: balancing cost and travel time
Car traffic remains challenging in Bordeaux, with frequent radar checks and paid parking within the boulevards. The park-and-ride facilities located at tram stations on the outskirts provide an interesting economical alternative.
- The 24-hour ticket including parking at the park-and-ride and unlimited access to public transport costs 5 euros per day, compared to much higher rates for central and quay parking.
- The park-and-ride facilities are accessible from the three tram lines (A, B, C), allowing users to choose the one that best matches their final destination.
- On the first Sunday of each month, the city center is closed to cars, making trams and bicycles even more relevant for accessing pedestrian areas.
The decision is made between the time taken to reach the park-and-ride and the cost of parking in the city center. For a full day, the park-and-ride costs six times less than a central parking space.
TBM Mobilités app and dynamic map: reading the network in real-time
The static network map (displayed at stations or downloadable as a PDF) provides an overview of the lines and connections. The dynamic map available on infotbm.com adds a layer of real-time information: disruptions, detours, temporarily non-served stops.
The TBM Mobilités app (available on iOS and Android) combines these two functions. It allows users to calculate a multimodal route (tram, bus, bike-sharing) and display updated arrival times at each stop.
Two limitations deserve mention. The app does not always cover last-minute disruptions with the same responsiveness as the information feed on the website. Additionally, routes combining an express bus and a tram are not always prioritized by the route calculation algorithm, which can obscure faster options.
TBM fares and CityPass Bordeaux: which ticket for which use
The choice of transport ticket depends on the frequency and duration of trips. The single ticket costs 1.90 euros per trip, while the day pass allows for unlimited trips for 6.50 euros.
- For a visitor, the CityPass (starting at 35 euros for one day) combines unlimited transport and access to more than twenty museums and sites.
- For regular use, the monthly or annual subscription options offered by TBM are more advantageous after just a few daily trips.
- Standard transport tickets are not personalized, allowing them to be shared within a group or family.
The funding of the network relies notably on the mobility contribution set at 2% for many municipalities in the metropolis (Talence, Villenave-d’Ornon, Le Taillan-Médoc, among others), a rate confirmed in January 2025. This level of contribution ensures the continuation of extension and service enhancement projects.
Optimizing travel in Bordeaux relies less on knowing each line than on mastering connections between modes (tram, bus, express bus, bike) and choosing the right transport ticket. Ongoing developments in the west of the metropolis and the integration of school lines are gradually reshaping the map of possible journeys.