RATP stands for Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens which translates into English as Autonomous Operator of Parisian Transports. RATP Group operates the public transportation system in Paris as well as the Île-de-France area. This is the most populated area of France with over 12 million people living there. Thats abut the entire population of Ohio living only in 4,000 Square Miles. However this is one of the wealthiest areas of mainland Europe. RATP group operates transit systems in France and across the world from the UK the US and French speaking African countries.

Quick Facts:

Type: Public, Owned by the Government of France

Fleet Size: 1,500

Routes: Over 300 inculding suburban and airport service

Manufacturer and Powerplant: RATP sources their buses from both Domestic (Renault) and Foreign (Iveco of Italy, and Mercedes Benz, MAN of Germany and Scania of Sweden) suppliers. Most buses in the fleet are Diesel or Electric Hybrid.

Fare Collection: The contactless card payment system in Paris is called Navigo Pass. The Navigo Pass can be used on the RATP system as well as neigboring rail and bus systems. It can also be used at certain bike sharing stations to pay for bike rental. It is unique among contactless card systems in that it requires either a photo ID of the owner or it must be carried with one.

Livery: Historically buses in Paris were Green and White. Currently buses are painted with a Turquoise-Light Blue/Green and White along with Grey and Silver scheme.

Innovations: Oddly buses in Paris avoid newer style LED destination boards, Buses are still equipped with prewritten destination boards which are mounted on the sides. My only guess is they have done this to limit the amount of distraction caused to other motorists or they do not order them to keep costs down. Buses in Paris also have larger windows due to the lack of destination boards. RATP hires and trains more female bus drivers than any other bus company in Europe.

Driving Dynamics: Traffic in Paris and the entire metropolitan area is ruled by Pedestrians and two wheeled vehicles. Scooters, Mopeds, Motorcycles and Bicycles are equally popular modes of transport to the car. Driving a bus on small narrow ancient streets with heavy traffic is difficult enough but when people riding two wheels take risks by riding in between buses safety is a major concern. Pedestrians in Paris also are of a different breed. They stand in the street unaware they are in the street until they are almost hit by oncoming traffic or it is blaringly obvious they are impeding the flow. They also dart from off the sidewalk without warning more often than elsewhere in the world.