Not yet in full scale, but not far from the R-312

Veolia's proposed double articulated bus for rapid transit showed up, although in presentation poster sized proportions.

Still operating across the northern rim of Greater Paris from Saint-Denis with enroute stops at La Courneuve, where the picture was shot, Tramway T1 is set to be considerably extended as far as Reuil-Malmaison, west of Paris. Completing the planned extention will take more than 10 years.

Yet, hard working line 304 shows its limits at peak time. At time two or three articulated units may be trailing to each other

as seen at Nanterre-Université

On normal times, intervals rarely exceed 15 minutes

Serving scores of strategic locations, such as the general hospital, across both Colombes and Nanterre, bus 304 is reportedly set for replacement before work on T1 extension can actually start. Not operating across downtown Paris, but still a RATP arch-rival and even a nemesis on outside tenders, Veolia also reportedly inked a deal
according to which the BHNS/Bus-à-Hauts-Niveau-de-Service (Hight Level Service Bus) as the BRT/Bus Rapid Transit is refered in French will be operated on behalf of the legacy transit authority as a replacement for Bus 304 until the Tramway extension is completed.

Educating users

Last September 17th, the plazza of Nanterre Ville's regional and metropolitan station played host to a presentation of mass transit projects set to serve the area by 5 years. Lasting five days, the event also promoted the use

of bicycles. A repair shop was sheltered by the marquee

Not to be left in the cold, RATP/Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, Greater Paris's mass transit authority, contributed to the event by putting passengers into bus drivers' shoes, let's start the engine.

Produced between 1987 and 1996, the Renault R-312 took over from the venerable Renault SC-10 on most french mass transit networks. R312's name stood for R as Renault, 3 for the three side exits featured on early models and 12 for the vehicle lengh, aka, 12 meters. By far the largest customer, RATP accepted a grand total of 632 units. Since, many have been withdrawn from use as newer Irisbus and MAN started coming in the fleet. Things were not completely over and scores of R312 found new networks to serve in Eastern Europe and Africa.

Not yet driving back and forth the streets of either Douala/Cameroon or Varna/Bulgaria, this R-312 still soldiers with the RATP as a rental bicycle office at large. But on this occasion, its was driven to educate today's bus riders .... The stage was then set with the following cast
Stool : a kid suddenly running across the street
Pink canvas : pavement (UK) sidewalk (US)
Green plants : other by-standers


Bicyle + baloon : itself

The driver was acting as the teacher on the field by inviting on-lookers to sit in the driver's position. Once behind the wheel, one was then asked how good he could see the afore mentioned cast members by using the field of vision from the windshield, driving mirrors and so on.

To more shows ahead

The circus is gone, but not without delivering a last live show provided by the tractors drivers. The latter showed their mastery in steering towing attachments and mingling them again to surround street and highway traffics. Last to leave was this classic Scania 143M pulling two trailers.

Mating the two trailers. "Convoi Exceptionnel" is the french translator for outsize load.
The shortest trailer comes last.

Putting back not less than 28 wheels to streets
Back and shortest trailer accomodated a dromadery and llamas which sounded some protests over conditions of travel, while the longest was patronized by more dromaderies and camels.
The skillfull driver settled the matter, not only with the protesting llamas but also with some idiotic motorists.

Circus in Town

In anticipation of a show scheduled from Sept 11th until Sept 20th inclusive, a circus is setting the stage on a space opposite the town's hospital. Among the 40 animals staffing the menagerie are dromaderies,

which normally criss-cross the deserts across Sahelian Africa and Middle East

and two humped long haired Camels who do the same across wind-swept Central Asian vast expenses.

Their wheeled fuel going counterparts come up in shapes of trucks, tractors and trailers.
Acting as the Flagship of a fleet predominently made by Iveco and Scania is a Mack

which commands some respect.

Left in its original dress, Mack was recently importated in France after its purshase on the second-hand market in the State of New York, where the last licence was issued.
Other statistics also hint that its useful life started 15 years ago, empty weight stands to an impressive 8 ton and pulling capacity has been set to 26 ton loads.

Classic guests enjoying a today's lift

Provided by this modern day trailer, this assortment of classics and future collectors took the pose for the camera when staging through Nanterre on July 16th. Accomodated on the upperlevel were a BMW era Mini converted into a beach side convertible, a Ferrari Testarossa and an Austin Healey, while the lower level hosted the red Lamborghini, original black Ford T, a white Mercury convertible from the late 30s or very early 40s. The small classic lying in the shadow ahead of the mighty Mercury looked to be a late Austin Seven.