The Local France

First driverless minibus goes on trial in Paris

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 17:50:57 +0200

The French capital's transport authority will on Saturday carry out its first test of a driverless minibus, in the hope that regular routes for the hi-tech vehicles will be up and running within two years.

Paris Metro takes on 'air hostesses' to promote safety

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 17:11:26 +0200

Public transport group RATP employed actors dressed as air crew in a bid to raise awareness about safety on the city's train network.

Paris transport strike: Metro spared but RER to be hit

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 17:29:09 +0200

The Metro won't grind to a halt during the Paris transport strike on Thursday but other train lines serving airports will be affected.

Paris Metro trains to get modern makeover

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 14:29:25 +0200

Comfort, efficiency, and reliability - the new designs for the Paris Metro train renovations are out.

Paris transport workers set to stage 'indefinite strike'

Mon, 23 May 2016 17:23:57 +0200

Metro, bus and RER rail workers in Paris have been urged to join a strike by the powerful CGT union from next Thursday (June 2nd) in protest against the new labour laws as well as their own working conditions. No end date for the walk-out has been set.

Off the rails! France hit by nationwide train strikes

Wed, 18 May 2016 12:20:21 +0200

As strikes against France's labour law rumble on, Wednesday is set to be a difficult day for rail travel, with some lines operating at less than half their normal service. Find out how you might be affected.

France to be hit by week of transport strikes and protests

Tue, 17 May 2016 12:10:52 +0200

From Tuesday and throughout the rest of the week, a new wave of strikes and protests is set to throw France's transport system into chaos.

Parisians spend total of 23 days a year on transport

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 18:59:48 +0200

A new study shows Parisians spend on average around half an hour longer on public transport each day than their compatriots in other cities around France.

France braces for transport chaos as one-day strike looms

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:18:02 +0200

Commuters in Paris and will be hit by transport troubles on Wednesday night and throughout Thursday, as the main unions representing the bulk of the city's train and Metro workers go on strike. Flights and train services around the country will also be hit on Thursday.

Paris: Singing Metro driver hangs up the mic

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:53:11 +0100

A Metro driver who's been brightening up Parisians' commutes for years by singing pop songs over the loudspeakers has announced the end of his rush-hour performances. We take a look back at some of his greatest hits.

Paris woos commuters with new transport apps

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:27:02 +0100

Paris transport chiefs are rolling out extensive upgrades to their traveller apps, including real time updates, new games, and an English-language audio tourguide for bus journeys.

Are Paris commuters becoming more polite?

Mon, 12 May 2014 17:17:00 +0200

Parisians have long suffered from a reputation for rudeness, but a new survey about etiquette on the capital’s vast public transport network suggests that commuting residents are actually becoming more polite.

French train strike set to cause major disruption

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 10:56:00 +0100

Travellers and commuters in France have been warned to expect disruption to their travel plans over the next two days when rail workers will stage a strike in protest against proposed reforms. Find out if you will be affected.

Rail chiefs launch €350m Paris Metro clean-up

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:17:00 +0200

The time has come to tackle Paris's grimey Metro, once and for all, according to transport chiefs, who announced this week a multi-million euro plan to rid the network and its stations of their infamous filth.

Fare-dodgers cost French operators €400m a year

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:48:00 +0200

France’s transport minister Frédéric Cuvillier has announced a crackdown on fare-dodgers after it was revealed that transport operators SNCF and RATP were duped out of a total of €400 million in a single year.

Paris train strike disrupts morning commute

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:18:57 +0200

The morning commute between Paris and its surrounding suburbs has been interrupted by a strike among RATP train conductors. Half-hour delays have been reported between the French capital and Charles de Gaulle airport.

Parisian metro users to get free wifi

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:05:41 +0200

Free wifi is to be made available to all passengers on the Parisian metro from next week, thanks to a Spanish communications company.

Contest to produce new Paris metro design

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:21:47 +0100

After a smartphone application using the Paris metro map was banned by metro operator RATP, its creator decided to launch a competition to design an alternative map.

Paris Metro gives lessons in good manners

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:52:33 +0200

Police, sociologists and elected officials got together with the management of Paris’ metro and bus network this week to talk about ways to improve the behaviour of the 10 million passengers the system carries each day.

Sex scandal 'king' denies allegations

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:59:00 +0200

A senior union official at Parisian transport authority, RATP, who allegedly called himself 'the king' and demanded sexual favours from women in return for career advancement has hit back in an interview with French daily Le Parisien.