PARIS | Métro

[Justme]

Originally Posted by iampuking

I'm going to Paris sometime at the end of the year, apart from how it looks, what is the Paris Metro like?

The Paris metro is one of my favourite in the world, along with the London Underground.

Like the Tube, it has a lot of history, and like the Tube, this means some stations can look a bit old and dated. But this history is what I love so much about the network.

It differs from the Tube in many ways. The stations are much closer together, and tend to be the type which are wider because they have platforms at either side of the tunnels with both tracks in the middle. There are also some great elevated sections with intricate wrought iron. When I was last there, the ticketing system seemed a lot more dated than London's, but maybe it has an Oyster equivalent by now.

One thing I did notice was far fewer escalators. Not a problem - unless you are lugging your baggage around after arriving, but then many of the stations don't seem as deep as London's.

It is a great network, possibly the densest in the world, and very frequent services. I think you will approve.

[RzgR Spijkenisse]

I like the Paris System (Subway and RER) very good. I think it has the best atmosphere, looks and rolling stock in Europe by far. I've visited Paris three times so far. I realy like the long connections between the stations with the long escolators.

[Minato ku]

Line 10 in Boulogne Billancourt Southwestern inner suburbs of Paris

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[iampuking]

Originally Posted by Justme

The Paris metro is one of my favourite in the world, along with the London Underground.

Like the Tube, it has a lot of history, and like the Tube, this means some stations can look a bit old and dated. But this history is what I love so much about the network.

It differs from the Tube in many ways. The stations are much closer together, and tend to be the type which are wider because they have platforms at either side of the tunnels with both tracks in the middle. There are also some great elevated sections with intricate wrought iron. When I was last there, the ticketing system seemed a lot more dated than London's, but maybe it has an Oyster equivalent by now.

One thing I did notice was far fewer escalators. Not a problem - unless you are lugging your baggage around after arriving, but then many of the stations don't seem as deep as London's.

It is a great network, possibly the densest in the world, and very frequent services. I think you will approve.

I'm sure I will! Thank you for that.

[cal_t]

I don't really get the map of route M10. Is it a one way loop? Or both ways with the end section served by trains going in one direction?

[elkram]

I miss Paris's metro. Those photos remind me how I felt like I was in the land of Dr. Zeuss travelling underground there -- also, a neat small-community feel to that metro network in the massive city there.

[iampuking]

Originally Posted by cal_t

I don't really get the map of route M10. Is it a one way loop? Or both ways with the end section served by trains going in one direction?

I think the line splits, eg: westbound goes one route and eastbound the other and then they meet up at both ends.

[Minato ku]

Actually Paris metro has introduce contacless card before London underground.

In 2001 for Paris.
In 2002 for London.


The maps of the line 10, actually Iampuking has right.

[iampuking]

Is any of the Paris Metro ATO?

[Minato ku]

All the lines of Paris metro have ATO exept the least busy lines 3bis, 7bis and 10 since the 70's.
The ATO systems of Paris metro are actually in remplacement by new systems called Ouragan. It will be installated in the line 10.

The line 14 is driverless and the line 1 will become driverless in 2010.

A train for testing the new ATO system.


EDIT : The ATO was tested in Paris metro with passenger in 1951, with the first metro with rubber-tired.
But it was only a test in few month.

[micro]

Originally Posted by iampuking

but Parisians seem to have a reputation for being rude!

Don't agree. They are mostly very friendly actually.

[iampuking]

Originally Posted by minato ku

All the lines of Paris metro have ATO exept the least busy lines 3bis, 7bis and 10 since the 70's.
The ATO systems of Paris metro are actually in remplacement by new systems called Ouragan. It will be installated in the line 10.

The line 14 is driverless and the line 1 will become driverless in 2010.

A train for testing the new ATO system.


EDIT : The ATO was tested in Paris metro with passenger in 1951, with the first metro with rubber-tired.
But it was only a test in few month.

Thanks for that, do you mean ATO was on a passenger carrying train briefly in 1951 for testing?

And Micro, I don't know whether Parisians are rude or not, i've never been there, it's just their reputation really.

[Minato ku]

Yes it was in this train the MP51.


in a branch between the line 3bis and 7bis built in 1920. (Now closed, it was only utilised for this test.)

A study is being undertaken into the merger of Lines 3bis and 7bis, using the existing currently un-trafficked infrastructure between the two lines, and therefore opening Haxo for passenger use. The combined lines would be known as Line 15 from Château-Landon to Gambetta.




Haxo this station would be opened one hundred years after its construction.

[RzgR Spijkenisse]

Originally Posted by micro

Don't agree. They are mostly very friendly actually.

I agree, they are very friendly. The last time I've visited the underground was with Christmas. If someone step in to a metrocar who was old, pregnant or disabled, everybody stood up to give them their seat. The only thing about the Paris people is that they can't speak English. They do try to help you. Only the Paris Student and Youth speak English.

[iampuking]

Originally Posted by RzgR Spijkenisse

I agree, they are very friendly. The last time I've visited the underground was with Christmas. If someone step in to a metrocar who was old, pregnant or disabled, everybody stood up to give them their seat. The only thing about the Paris people is that they can't speak English. They do try to help you. Only the Paris Student and Youth speak English.

It's fair enough IMO. Visitors should at least learn basic French when going there.

[RzgR Spijkenisse]

So, if I visit Sweden, I should learn basic Swedish?. I know a few French words like: Sortie, Baguette, Pain, Frommage. I can manage myself with that. Bud I don't care, it is the beauty wich comes with the underground not the English knowledge of it's travelers.

[josema_call]

Originally Posted by RzgR Spijkenisse

So, if I visit Sweden, I should learn basic Swedish?. I know a few French words like: Sortie, Baguette, Pain, Frommage. I can manage myself with that. Bud I don't care, it is the beauty wich comes with the underground not the English knowledge of it's travelers.

Of course, you shouldn't, but it can be a good start saying "hello", "good morning" and some other basic sentences to open others minds.

In Paris I found that almost everybody were really friendly when I started trying some French, unfortunately cannot say the same about the woman at Versailles info point, she was very rude and was the exception of a wonderful trip.

The line 14 is driverless and the line 1 will become driverless in 2010.

And what do the workers unions say about it?
Could a strike be possible?

[Minato ku]

I don't know, France is the country of strike, but the transformation of the line 1 has already started.

For being in Paris the better words for the food are : Kebab, Riz cantonais, coucous...

[Minato ku]

Picture taken by Kilegoretrout.

[iampuking]

Originally Posted by RzgR Spijkenisse

So, if I visit Sweden, I should learn basic Swedish?. I know a few French words like: Sortie, Baguette, Pain, Frommage. I can manage myself with that. Bud I don't care, it is the beauty wich comes with the underground not the English knowledge of it's travelers.

Yes. I think you should.

You can't go to a foreign country and expect everyone to speak your language. I don't think i'd like it if a tourist came up to me and started speaking Russian.