Page 380 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

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Travelling by Bus

The bus is an excellent way to see the great sights of Paris.
The bus system is run by the RATP, which also runs the Metro,
so you can use the same tickets for both. There are more than
350 bus lines in greater Paris and over 4,300 buses in daily
circulation at rush hour. Buses can be the fastest way to
travel short distances, especially now that there are more
bus-only lanes. However, during peak hours buses may get
caught in heavy traffic and are often crowded. Visitors should
check the times for the first and last buses as they vary widely,
depending on the line. Night buses run throughout the night.

Bus Stop Signs
Signs at Parisian bus stops Ticket-validating machine
display the numbers of the
routes stopping there and Validating a Bus Ticket
count down the minutes until Insert the ticket into the
the arrival of the next bus. machine in the direction of
the arrow, then withdraw it.
Noctambus, Orlybus and them valid for a single bus,
Roissybus, and lines 221, 297, Metro or RER journey. However,
299, 350 and 351.) Children a carnet cannot be purchased
under four travel for free, and on buses, and can only be
those aged between four and bought at Metro stations.
ten may travel at half price. Travel passes are a good
Although a Metro/RER ticket idea if you are planning a
is valid, bus-only tickets can be number of journeys during
purchased from the bus driver your stay. For a set fee, you
and must be validated on board. can enjoy unlimited travel on
To do this, insert the ticket into Paris buses with a Paris Visite
Bus stop the validating machine inside pass (see p374). Never validate
the bus. Hold on to your ticket these as it will render them
Tickets and Passes
until the end of the journey; invalid. They should be shown
A single bus ticket entitles the inspectors make random checks to the bus driver whenever you
bearer to a single journey on a and can levy on-the-spot fines board a bus, and to a ticket
single line. If you want to make if you cannot produce a inspector on request. If you
a change, you’ll need another validated ticket for your journey. have a Passe Navigo Découverte
ticket. (Exceptions to this rule You can also purchase a (see p374), swipe it across the
are the buses Balabus, carnet of ten tickets, each of card-reading machine as you
board the bus.
Paris’s Buses Bus route number Using the Buses
Passengers can Bus destination Bus stops and shelters are
identify the route and
destination of a bus identified by the number shields
of the buses that stop at them,
from the information
on the panels at the and by the distinctive RATP
logo. Route maps at bus stops
front. It’s possible to
enter some buses indicate transfers and nearby
Metro and RER stops. Bus stops
from the middle
door; there’s a button also display timetables, and
show first and last buses.
on the exterior of
the bus. Neighbour hood maps are also
displayed at most bus shelters.
Most buses must be flagged
Passengers enter the down. Some models have
bus at the front door multiple doors which must be
opened by pressing a red button
Bus front displaying information inside the bus to exit, or outside

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