A friend recently went to further her studies in Toulouse, France. Being Malaysian whose main mode of transport is the automobile, the bus system in France is something she shared with me recently. Here is her e-mail (permission granted by the author)...
Just to brief a little bit on the bus system here.
I've taken pictures but just can't wait to explain everything because I am excited of the bus system as I understand better about the system now.
There are many main stations in between the bus routes. Each station is called 'ligne'. Between stations there are also several stops. There are phamplets available for each ligne to show the details of the ligne (arrival time of the bus at each ligne, the map of the ligne showing the stops between the ligne). I have taken the pictures of the pamplets for ligne 68 and ligne 10.
The time the bus passes each ligne is different between sunday through friday and saturday. Due to traffic in the town. Also depend on seasons. For example, during summer not many buses are available because most people are going for vacations.
The bus use a card system. We can buy a card of 7 euros for 10 trips. Each time you got on the bus, you will insert the card in the machine and the machine will stamp the date on the card. It does not matter how many times you change the stations or stops, as long as you are in the same direction AND you got on the next bus within 45 minutes that will be considered as 1 trip. For example in order for me to get to Capitol (downtown) I have to take the bus from my place to Lespinet Struxiano (ligne 68). Then, I have to take another bus that heads towards the next station that is Etats-Unis Fondeyre (ligne 10); Capitol is a stop between ligne 68 and ligne 10. If I can catch the bus on ligne 10 within 45 minutes, that will be considered as 1 trip.
On the bus, there is a map also, the same map you have on the pamplet. It shows the main stations and the stops. In the bus, in front; just above the passengers seats there is an electronic board (like a small billboard) informing the passengers of the next stop. So, we can always refer to the board and look at the map to ensure own location. There will also be an aural indication informing us of the next stop.
I took all the pictures; the ticket, the ticket machine, the small billboard, the interior of the bus. The only thing that I have not explore is their metro station. I heard we can use the same ticket for the metro and the rules are the same. I will let you know the system and take pictures of the metro soon.
Okey...I hope I have given you a clear information. I am not sure how much the information helps you. Is it something you already know or you haven't know. Just let me know what are other information that you need. I will send the pictures later. So, you might want to keep this email because it may helps you to understand better as soon as yo get the pictures.
Okey, I'm going for my lunch. today is Friday, so there no class in the evening. I'm taking my own sweet time to type the email...By the way, Etats-Unis is United States
Yours,
Ruhaida Abd Rashid
She promised to share a lot more experience of France's public transportation system. Once I've recieve her photos perhaps with her permission I could publish it on this blog.
