The Difficult Insertion of Rapid Bussing Networks in a Dense Urban Environment: The Case of Paris

Abstract

The paper remarks the bringing in of late in several European cities of a new sort of bussing network modelled
on the American Bus Rapid Transit’s example. It then describes and analyses the case of Paris, a city that
as of 2001 is going through a major transformation of many of its main thoroughfares on which new and
segregated lanes have been set up for buses, bicycles, taxis and emergency vehicles, the via-share of private
transport being at the same time considerably reduced. This Parisian example is here felt to point up a whole
series of concomitant problems that more than indicate the diffi culties inherent in any insertion of a rapid
bus network in an established and dense city environment. Among these, confl ict with commercial activities,
pedestrian and cyclist’s safety and overall access are mentioned. Furthermore the experience makes patent
that the bus on its own cannot meet with all citizen mobility needs and that it must be considered only as
another yet among the other means of transport (specially underground) on hand. Notwithstanding these
caveats, the project in the French capital has indeed proved its effectiveness when it comes to limiting private
vehicle transit in the city centre and this was the city hall’s principal goal.