Tag: Public Transport

What public transport options do you have in Marseille?

• Metro: Marseille has a metro system consisting of two lines, Line 1 (????) and Line 2 (????).
• Tramway: Marseille has a tram network with three lines: T1, T2, and T3.
• Bus: The buses, mostly cover areas that the tram and metro do not reach. 
• Bicycle: Marseille has a bike-sharing system called Le Vélo. You can rent bicycles from various stations throughout the city and use them to explore Marseille at your own pace. There are also dedicated bike lanes in certain areas.
• Ferry: Marseille is a coastal city, and you can use ferries to reach various destinations in the region, such as the nearby islands of Frioul and If.

RTM Marseille

The Marseille Metro is a rapid transit system comprising two metro lines, partly underground, serving 31 stations, with an overall route length of 22.7 km. Two stations, Saint-Charles and Castellane, each provide interchange between lines. RTM covers not only a metro and bus system, but also ferry boats, bikes, parking, ride-sharing, tramway lines, and scooters. 

RTM does not have a website in English, making it a bit trickier to navigate. We will display some options here based on the notion that you are settling in Marseille, if you are a tourist we advise you to visit the website of the Marseille tourist information!

Marseille Pass Permanent

The Marseille transport card is called Pass Permanent, and you can find the right one to use on their website. Click here and on the left of the page, first enter your age and then your status.

• Étudiant / Apprenti / Stagiaire / Service civique = Student / Apprentice / Trainee / Civic Service
• Demandeur d’emploi = Jobseeker
• Pour tous (autres) = Everyone else

The Pass Permanent is the main pass for all RTM networks and season tickets.. It is a personal, nominative card that allows you to load tickets for the RTM network and to validate journeys. There are several options for the Pass Permanent that cover different modes of transport so double-check before selecting your subscription – luckily they use symbols for the offering, so you don’t need to translate any French words.

How do I get a Pass Permanent? 

As in most French cities, having access to the monthly or annual subscriptions is only available on the French website, but we got you covered!

First – buy your card

1. Go to a point of sale and buy your card there – if you don’t want to get your subscription online, don’t forget your ID card and a picture of your face 
2. You can buy your card at any of the following locations:
   1. Métro : Castellane / St Charles* / Vieux-Port / Noailles : Monday through Sunday, 6h50 to 19h40
   2. Métro : Gèze / La Rose / Ste Marguerite :  Monday through Saturday (closed on Sunday), 6h50 to 19h40
   3. Bourse (6 rue des Fabres, 13001) : Monday through Friday (closed on weekends), 8h30 to 18h

Second – buy your subscription online (if you haven’t yet during the purchase of your card)

1. Register
2. Click here and on the left of the page, first enter your age and then your status.
3. Select the coverage you need and click through to the next page
4. Click “acheter”
5. Upload a picture of your identity card and a picture of your face
6. Select the start date for your Pass Permanent
7. Register the number of your card 
8. Complete transaction – you should be good to go now!

Tip: It’s easier to do it in person than online, so if you have the chance, move this to the top of your list when moving to Marseille.

What public transport options do you have in Lyon?

• Metro: Lyon has a four-line metro system. Line A (????) runs from Perrache to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, Line B (????) operates from Charpennes to Gare d’Oullins, Line C (????) connects Hôtel de Ville to Cuire, and Line D (????) runs from Gare de Vaise to Gare de Vénissieux.
• Tramway: Lyon has six-line tramway system. Line T1 runs from Debourg to IUT Feyssine, Line T2 connects Perrache to Saint-Priest Bel-Air, Line T3 operates from Part-Dieu Villette to Meyzieu Z.I., Line T4 runs from La Doua Gaston Berger to Hôpital Feyzin Vénissieux, Line T5 connects Grange Blanche to Eurexpo, and Line T6 runs from Debourg to Hôpitaux Est Pinel.
• Bus: Buses are a convenient mode of transport for reaching areas not served by the metro or tramway network.
• Bicycle: Lyon promotes cycling as a means of transportation. The city offers a bike-sharing system called “Vélo’V,” with numerous bike stations throughout the city. The Vélo’V bicycles can be rented for short durations, allowing residents and visitors to easily navigate Lyon on two wheels. Lyon is a really good city to get around by bike in.
• Funicular: Lyon has two funicular lines, F1 and F2, which provide vertical transportation to reach hilly areas of the city. F1 runs from Saint-Jean to Fourvière, while F2 connects Saint-Just to Fourvière.

TCL Lyon

TCL – Transports Communs Lyonnais – is the second largest in France after Paris, and covers 62 communes, including all 57 communes of the Urban Community of Lyon, spread over 606 km2. Having a pass will give you access to the 4 metro lines, 2 funiculars, 8 tramway lines (but not the Rhônexpress tram as it’s not covered by TCL), and 126 bus lines.

TCL Tickets

TCL has a website in English making it a bit easier to navigate. You have many options to choose from:

1. Hourly tickets
2. Daily tickets
3. Neighbourhood tickets
4. Group tickets
5. Lyon City Card (for tourists)
6. Weekly tickets
7. Travel Cards and Passes (“Carte Técély”)

If you’re moving here permanently and will be using the public transport regularly, the Carte Técély is the way to go. 

What is the Carte Técely? 

The Técély card is the main pass for all TCL networks, season tickets and books of 10 tickets (Full Fare, Under 26 and Large Family). It is a personal, nominative card that allows you to load tickets for the TCL network and to validate journeys. If you lose your card or it is stolen, head to one of the TCL branches as they can recover all unused tickets or your season ticket. The Carte Técély is valid for 5 years.

The card is for everyone who uses the TCL network (metro, tram, bus, funicular, park-and-ride facilities) occasionally and regularly. The card itself costs €5.

How can I get a Carte Técely?

You can purchase it in 3 different ways:

1. On the online agency e-tecely.tcl.fr. You will receive your Técély card by post with the transport ticket of your choice (scroll down and we’ll guide you in English)
2. With the Click and Collect service you can order a card online here and collect it from the TCL Bellecour branch from Monday to Friday.

Note: By law, your employer has to pay 50% of your public transport costs. They usually automatically reimburse you in your paycheck.

Documents to provide :

1. Identity document
2. 5 € for the creation or renewal of your Técély card
3. Recent photo of the face, framed on the face, bare head and on a plain and clear background. It is possible to have your photo taken in the agency.
4. Other supporting documents may be required depending on the ticket you wish to purchase: go to the tickets and fares page to consult all the descriptions of the tickets.

How do I get a Carte Técély if I don’t speak French? 

As in most French cities, having access to the monthly or annual subscriptions is only available on the French website, but we got you covered!

First – find your subscription

1. Click here and select the subscription you want (Mois / Année is the monthly / annual one)
2. Select your age
3. Choose your profile. Most Urban Index users are either “Tout Public” (normal person) or “Étudiants de 26 ou 27 ans” (students between 26 – 27 years old)
4. Scroll down to “Abonneents” and select the card and how you want to pay (monthly automatic payment “unlimited” or manual monthly payments

Second – buy your card

1. Click here and select “J’achète une carte Técély”
2. “Ajouter” your card (the only option on this page)
3. Fill in the information, click next
4. Upload the front and back of your identity document, then upload a photo of your face
5. One this is confirmed, the last steps are to add your address where you wish to receive your card, and payment details – you’re good to go! If you have any issues, you can head to one of the 5 branches and get your card in person immediately.

What is Velib’ Paris? Check out our article Paris Public Transport – RATP

How do you use the Velib’ bike in Paris?

The Velib’ is arguably the easiest and cheapest way to get around Paris (unless you love walking, of course) and it’s super easy to use. It is not included in the Navigo pass cost, you must pay for it separately, however if you have a Navio you can use your card to unlock the bikes. 

You have 3 options:

• Pay as you go (V-Libre)
• Daily passes (Ticket-V, 24-Hour-Pass, 3-Day Pass)
• Annual subscription (V-Plus + V-Max)

How much does Velib’ cost?

Velib’ offers classic bikes and electric bikes, depending on which you choose the cost will differ; an annual subscription with a classic bike costs 3.10€ per month, including an electric bike it can go up to 8.30€ per month. 

5 things to know about Vélib’ bikes

1. The blue Vélib’ is electric, the green Vélib’ is mechanical.
2. To “unlock” a Vélib’, use the electronic box inserted in the handlebars of the bike.
3. To change the level of assistance on electric Vélib’, press buttons 1, 2 or 3 on the box.
4. Pay attention to the symbols displayed on the screen: they indicate the steps and actions to be taken.
5. There is an app for finding stations and monitoring your usage.

How do you use the Velib’ bike in Paris?

It’s quite easy, you can register online or at one of the computers at every Velib’ station. To find your nearest one you can download the Velib’ app (iOS / Android), use Citymapper (iOS / Android) or the website.

1. Register on the website and create an account, all your usage will be related to that.
2. Select your subscription & enter payment information
3. Go to a docking station and get started!

How do I activate my Navigo/Velib’ card?

1. Press the “V” on the V-Box keyboard
2. Swipe your card (Vélib’ or Navigo)
3. Enter your access code (8 digits) and confirm (you will have received this via email)
4. Create your PIN code (4 digits) and validate by pressing the “V” button again
5. Swipe your card again, a “GO” appears and should release the bike
6. On your next journey, you just have to swipe your card on the V-Box to unlock the bike

Here is a video tutorial:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HR-WQd07tJk

J’active ma carte Vélib’ ou Navigo pour la première fois

What public transport options do you have in Paris?

• Metro: The Paris Metro has a sixteen-line metro system. Click here to see the full network. 
• Tramway: Paris has a eleven-line tramway network. 
• Bus: The buses cover all areas in and around of Paris, there is also a convenient night bus system. 
• Bicycle: The best way to get around is via the city’s bike-sharing system called “Velib“. They have many stations across the city and a corresponding app. Paris is working on building more and more cycling lanes and bike-friendly infrastructure, hoping to become a cyclist-friendly city.

RATP Paris

The RATP was created on 1 January 1949 by combining the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris (CMP). CMP operated the Paris Métro, and the Société des transports en commun de la région parisienne (STCRP), the city’s bus system. By the time the STCRP was merged into the RATP, all of its streetcars had been replaced by bus routes.

RATP’s services in the Greater Paris area include 16 metro lines, 5 RER lines, 11 tramway lines, 351 bus lines2 BRT (bus rapid transit) lines, and one Orlyval connecting the airport to the RER B, and last but not least, the Montmartre funicular which helps you avoid climbing 270 steps to the top of the hill.

What is the RATP Carte Navigo?

The Carte Navigo, formerly called the Pass Navigo, is a contactless smart card for access to the RATP transport system. 

How do I get a Carte Navigo? 

The good thing is that there is a website in English making it a bit easier to navigate. You have three options to choose from:

1. Single Tickets
2. Daily Tickets
3. Travel Cards and Passes

If you’re moving here permanently and will be using RATP regularly, the Navigo Annual is the way to go, if you don’t want to commit to an annual subscription you can choose Navigo Monthly which costs the same. There are more options, check them out here.

The Navigo covers all of the Île-de-France. You can use it to get to the Marais, but also to go to Versailles or Disneyland. It includes all metros, RERs, buses, you can even turn your Navigo card into a key for the Velib’ bikes. It’s a mighty tool, and as of January 2022 even includes free entry and reductions on Paris museums, cinemas and events, to quote from their page: 

“147 cinemas await you, as well as major museums such as the Quai Branly, Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, the Jeu de Paume and the Centquatre. Theatres and concert halls will welcome your applause: the Opéra Comique, the Théâtre Jean Vilar, the Théâtre Nanterre-Amandiers, the Bouffes du Nord or the Théâtre du Châtelet... Festivals and cultural fairs have also joined the list of partners: Peacock Society, Rock en Seine, We Love Green, Mama Festival, Salon du Livre Jeunesse… Finally, cultural and heritage sites open their doors to you for an exciting visit: the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Château de Maisons, the Opéra Garnier, France Miniature, the Ballon de Paris, the Basilique de Saint-Denis, the Maison de la culture du Japon, the Cité de la Musique…” Find out more here.

Note: By law, your employer has to pay 50% of your public transport costs. This usually is automatically reimbursed in your paycheck.

How much is a RATP Carte Navigo?

Navigo Annual costs €84,10 per month (50% reimbursed by your employer) and you need to register online or in person. You can pay upfront at the beginning of the year or by automatic monthly bank transfer with no time limit. It can be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without charge.

Where can I buy a Carte Navigo?

Click here and select “Navigo Annual Ticket”. Here is where the website switches to French, but we got you ????

1. Click on this link, scroll to the bottom and click “Continuer”
2. Create a login with your email address and a password
3. Before confirming you have the choice to select between “J’ai un passe Navigo ou je finance le passe Navigo d’une tierce personne” meaning you already have a Navigo and are buying an additional one, or “Je n’ai pas de passe Navigo” which means you do not have a Navigo yet. Choose the appropriate option and continue?
4. Choose your plan, click “continuer”
5. Add your personal information
6. Choose how you want to get your Navigo, you have the option “Recevoir à l’adresse ci-dessus” meaning they will post it to the address you have given, this takes less than 10 days after your application is validated or “Retirer dans un point de vente” meaning you can pick it up at a station, this takes less than 72h after your application is validated.
7. Upload a picture of yourself: your face, no hats, in colour, no larger than 10MB and in the format JPEG, GIF or PNG. If you have a webcam you can take the picture directly on the page.
8. Now it’s time to pay. Add your BIC and IBAN for monthly payments or pay the whole ride in one go with a card payment.
9. Last thing to do is to sign electronically, and then your application is sent for validation and in around a week you should have your Navigo!