Paris is about to join the roster of world cities where ordinary credit or debit cards can get you into and out of the subway, a system long in effect in London, New York and other cities, and with Madrid joining this year as well, along with Lyon and Marseille in France.
With the system in place, riders will no longer need to buy a Navigo card or store passes and tickets on a smartphone; for occasional riders who don’t need weekly or monthly discounts, especially visitors, it simplifies the process. The discounts that go with passes will not be available with the debit and credit cards.
The regional public transport network Ile de France Mobilities announced the program this week, saying it will start soon, first on lines that see the most visitor travel. It’s already active on the city’s buses. Officials didn’t say whether or when it will be extended to the RER commuter lines.
Hurrah!
I definitely agree, although I’ll probably continue with my weekly Navigo on phone—but I miss the days when I always had a couple of paper tickets in my wallet!
UPDATE
More details are available and it makes the news less joyful. Using a bank or credit card will carry a 50c to 80c surcharge. And the rollout will begin only next year, other than line 14, and will not be complete until 2030.
Definitely not aimed at regular riders!