I've just got back from Paris, it's two months after the big bus shake-up and I can say that while the buses are running OK information and wayfinding is a complete disaster. No multi-route maps at stops, many stops are still just temporary flags on the pavement, one bus I travelled on still had an out-of-date route map inside, and the "Indispensable" guides for 2019 still have the pre-April routes in it with no new editions published. On many trips I made the indicators at stops for how long until the next bus, and the stop name announcement systems inside the buses, weren't working either. Certainly a let down given the usual quality of public transport in French cities.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Yikes, I hate to hear this, as I love to take the bus in Paris and rely on the maps at the bus stops, announcement systems, time till the next bus, etc. I used to go to the official bus site and view all the bus routes and plan my day based on them, hope they have these updated by October, when I will be there!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7548 posts
I was in Paris last week, took the bus several times. I guess for me, I saw no issues, but I was not meticulously planning my route. I knew of a few basic routes, used those, was not concerned if the bus was coming in 30 seconds or 5 minutes, and frankly, relied on Google Maps, which gave very good info on routes and times when giving directions.
Posted by
Paris
9566 posts
Unless you’re using CityMapper which tells you how long to the next bus, and the one after that, and how long current traffic conditions mean it will take to make it to a given point . . .
And of course the majority of bus stops which now have electronic boards telling one how long until the next bus, and then the one after that.
Obviously with such a huge overhaul of the bus system, it’s going to taken awhile to get all static signage updated. But I welcome the changes and the initiative.
Posted by
South Florida
776 posts
A lot of the foul ups are due to construction, road and metro. Traffic in general has been horrid this spring. Bus stop locations are obviously affected by metro construction, installation of new bus shelters and creation of new spaces around Nation, Bastille and Gambetta among others. This all tries Parisiens' patience too. Paris newspapers are full of complaints such as this:
"Pourquoi Paris est paralysée par les travaux" The same article reports that the 91 bus from Republique to Gare de Lyon travels at an average speed of 5 km/hour.
I'm sure the bus uncertainty is hard on visitors but the improvement in route structure is greatly appreciated by residents. I, for one, not being able to use the metro, am thrilled at having two bus choices for ascending the Belleville hill where none existed previously.