Keolis Appoints Yoen Dupuis as New Regional CEO
Global shared mobility leader Keolis has officially announced the appointment of Yoen Dupuis as the new Chief Executive Officer for its Middle East and East Asia regions. This strategic leadership change marks a significant chapter for the company, which is renowned for operating high-precision transit systems like the Dubai Metro and Tram.
Expanding Footprint in Key Growth Markets
Based in the United Arab Emirates, Dupuis steps into a critical role overseeing operations that move millions of passengers daily across some of the world's most technologically advanced cities. His appointment is part of Keolis' broader strategy to accelerate expansion and modernize rail and automated metro services in vital growth areas.
In his new capacity, Dupuis will drive strategic planning, operational management, and partnership development across multiple countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and China. He will be responsible for supervising some of the planet's most sophisticated public transportation networks.
Yoen Dupuis: A Veteran Transport Leader
Yoen Dupuis brings substantial experience to his regional leadership position at Keolis. Prior to this appointment, he spent over a decade leading Keolis operations in the Greater Paris Region, transforming it into a €1 billion enterprise with 8,500 employees while significantly enhancing its service reputation.
His impressive track record includes managing major transportation platforms such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games transit operations, demonstrating his capability to navigate complex, high-stakes transit environments effectively.
Keolis International CEO Laurence Broseta praised Dupuis' extensive background, highlighting his deep expertise in managing large-scale networks and his proven ability to cultivate strong relationships with public authorities and partners worldwide.
Dupuis himself emphasized the region's commitment to visionary infrastructure and innovation, stating that combining global expertise with local insight will be a top priority under his leadership.
Managing Dubai's Transport Infrastructure
In his new role, Dupuis assumes significant responsibility for the Keolis MHI joint venture, the entity contracted by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to operate and maintain both the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram systems.
His mission is clear: maintain the world-class safety standards for which Dubai is internationally recognized while integrating new smart technologies to enhance passenger experience. Under his oversight, the focus will remain on passenger satisfaction, operational punctuality, and improving "last-mile" connectivity solutions that help residents transition seamlessly from stations to their final destinations.
While Dubai represents a major operational focus, Dupuis' jurisdiction extends far beyond the Arabian Gulf. His responsibilities include oversight of Keolis ventures in China, including the Shanghai Metro and Greater Bay Area networks, as well as operations in Australia where the company manages extensive tram and bus systems.
By bridging Middle Eastern innovation with East Asian efficiency, Dupuis aims to establish a "knowledge corridor" that transfers best transportation practices from cities like Shanghai and Melbourne to urban centers including Dubai and Doha.
The Future of Sustainable Travel
This leadership transition comes as the United Arab Emirates intensifies its sustainability initiatives. Under Dupuis' guidance, Keolis has signaled a substantial push toward decarbonization across its regional operations.
This environmental commitment involves exploring electric bus fleets, implementing energy-efficient station cooling systems, and utilizing data-driven maintenance approaches to prevent service delays. For everyday commuters, these leadership changes may occur behind the scenes, but the anticipated results include smoother, greener, and more reliable journeys each time passengers use their Nol cards.
