What is "semitan"

Semitan is the company responsible for the comprehensive public transport network of Nantes Métropole, the urban community of the French city of Nantes. The network operated by Semitan is marketed under the name and logo TAN and this abbreviated form is also sometimes used to refer to the company. Semitan is itself an acronym for the Société d'Economie Mixte des Transports de l'Agglomération Nantaise. The TAN network comprises three Tramway lines, one Busway line, an extensive network of buses, an airport shuttle bus line, two Navibus lines and a night bus network. A single common fare system covers all these modes and also extends to suburban trains within the Métropole boundaries, although these trains are not operated by Semitan.

Semitan is a mixed private and public sector company. As of 2007, its principal shareholders are Nantes Métropole (65%), the transport group Transdev (14.99%), banking group Caisse d'Epargne (10%) and the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Nantes (10%). It has been responsible through renewable 6 years "public service delegations", for the public transports of Nantes since it was formed in 1979, although the precise area covered has varied over the years.