This is a beautiful story of sewing, ecology and collaboration that started in the workshops of Courriers de l’Aube, a passenger transport company in the Transdev network based in Troyes (Aube), from an idea born of passion and real need.
Faced with the need to regularly replace the bus driver’s seat protective cover, Carine Lourdelet-Baltazart, company director, chose to rely on in-house talent rather than purchasing from manufacturers.
“We wondered if we couldn’t make it ourselves,” he said. And then, we remembered that we had Eddy Rousseau, a saddler, in the company and probably a coxswain who really liked sewing. »
From prototype to local production
This is how Sylvie Kaufmann, driver and former seamstress, answered the call. Together with Eddy and other colleagues, they imagined and created the first ecological cover, made of bamboo fabric, “sponge style”, at the Trojan merchant and assembled using an updated sewing machine, the overlocker, invented thanks to the Lacoste company in Troyes.
The team first creates a prototype, presenting it to employees. Enthusiasm was immediately visible. “Everyone was excited, so we launched production,” the director recalls. Hygienic, comfortable and washable covers have become a workplace wellbeing asset.
If the initial project aimed to equip Aube drivers with 200 covers, orders have already been placed in the Transdev network in the Vosges and Hauts-de-France, which is proof of its growing success. “This project is a matter of pride for all of us. We are a bit of a victim of our success. Everyone thinks it is great. We are not trying to turn it into a business, but if we can respond to the requests of our colleagues, we will,” explains Carine Lourdelet-Baltazart.
Human adventure above all else
Beyond the ecological aspect, this adventure has mainly strengthened the cohesion between services and improved the hidden skills of employees. “This is a collective adventure, and great proof that as a company, we have resources we don’t always imagine,” said the director. “Behind the wheel is a human being who has talents other than driving. »
This dynamic is part of a wider series of projects carried out by Les Courriers de l’Aube around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): training in the fight against bullying in schools, a partnership with the Second Chance School in Troyes, or even support for employees involved as volunteer firefighters. “All this contributes to a better social climate and a sense of belonging,” he stressed.
National recognition
In October 2025, the Aube 100% project was awarded the 1st RSE Talent Prize 2025, in the intercity category, awarded by Transdev France. “This project perfectly illustrates our desire to innovate for more responsible mobility, by involving our employees and promoting local resources,” said Laurent Mahieu, regional director of Transdev Grand Est and Hauts-de-France.
For the Couriers de l’Aube team, this award is primarily a collective recognition. “This project was born in several heads, but became a reality thanks to everyone,” concludes Carine Lourdelet-Baltazart. “This is a beautiful story of humanity, stitched with white thread, but above all with passion and solidarity. »
