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Article: Paris rings the changes: Paris Transport Authority (RATP) has ambitious plans to reduce road congestion in the suburbs with a massive programme to create a ring of light rail and metro lines around the city centre.(Rapid Transit)
- Article from:
- International Railway Journal
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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THE office of Paris Transport Authority (RATP) director of development, Mr Philippe Ventejol, is a place of contrasts. On the window is a souvenir from a foreign holiday, a sign saying "Danger Crocodiles--no swimming". On the wall, a large whiteboard bears the scars of brainstorming how to take public transport in Paris forward. For all his genial nature, Ventejol is a man driven by a strong desire to make life better for ordinary Parisiens.
RATP's area covers the Ile de France region, which has a population of 11 million, and contributes a quarter of France's gross national product. Like most other big cities, road congestion is growing and presenting an ...