Operation of the line

A law passed on 12 July 1912 entrusted the construction and operation of the La Rhune cog railway to the département of Basses Pyrénées, which later became Pyrénées-Atlantiques.On 1 January 1989, after merging with the SNCF subsidiary company Voies Ferrées Départementales du Midi (V.F.D.M.), La Société Hydro-Electrique du Midi (S.H.E.M) became the concession holder.The first concession, granted in 1912 and amended in 1946, was due to end on 31 December 1982; it was extended until 31 December 1994.

Renewal of the concession

Among the different management options provided for in the law of 9 January 1985 regarding the development and protection of the mountains, in 1994 the General Council for Pyrénées-Atlantiques chose to organise and run the service through a public service delegation agreement at the risk of the operating company. At a meeting on 26 November 1994, the departmental assembly announced its choice of delegatee: CFTA of Groupe Veolia Transport.