Paris to launch river-bus network

PARIS has announced plans to launch a river-bus network along the Seine from 2013, connecting with the rest of the city's public transport system.

Boats will run from Suresnes in the west to Maisons-Alfort in the east, crossing the centre of the capital with 30 stop-off points.

The central section, from the Eiffel Tower past Invalides and Notre Dame to the Gare d'Austerlitz, will be operated by 250-capacity boats running up to every 15 minutes at peak times. The rest of the line will use smaller boats, carrying up to 100 passengers, running half-hourly.

A single ticket will cost about €7 - but access to the river-bus service will be included with the Navigo public transport pass at no extra cost.

The proposed launch follows a successful experiment between Maisons-Alfort and the Gare d'Austerlitz which started in 2007 and is due to finish this weekend.

Legal complications mean the pilot scheme has to stop before the full network can be launched.

PDF: See the proposed route at MetroFrance.com

Photo: Stefano G - Fotolia.com