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 Since, many have been withdrawn from use as newer Irisbus and MAN started coming in the fleet.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.