|
Post by jcjflorida on May 22, 2007 8:01:27 GMT -5
I plan to buy the Carte Orange pass for my trip. I have read contradictory info about buying the passes and I am confused, so here are my basic questions:
1.Can I just copy my passport picture before leaving home? 2.Does the photo have to be in color? 3.Are there different turnstiles for using the Carte Orange? 4.Can they be purchased at Gare du Nord which is where we will arrive on Sunday?
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on May 22, 2007 8:29:47 GMT -5
A xerox copy of your passport picture will not work. You'll need a color or BW photo about 1" x 1". Take it yourself with a digital camera and print it out at home. Once you have the photo, you'll need to get the "passcard", fill out the personal information (name, address, etc.), stick your photo on, and bend over the self-laminating cover. Those are free and are available at the ticket counter windows. Then you'll need to purchase the actual ticket stub for use during the week. The stubs are inserted into metro turnstiles just like any other ticket. You must keep your stub with your photograph passcard in case you're stopped by the authorities, which is becoming increasingly frequent. Keep in mind that CO is technically not for use by tourists, but I know of only one or two cases in which the ticket seller refused to provide somebody with the passcard. Your CO will not be valid for an arrival on Sunday. You can buy it that day, but it will not be valid until the first train on Monday morning.
|
|
|
Post by jcjflorida on May 22, 2007 8:43:04 GMT -5
Thank you Truffaut, that is exactly the info that I needed and I do appreciate it.
|
|
|
Post by trechic on May 24, 2007 22:58:55 GMT -5
Thank you Truffaut - I did not know it could not be a photocopy of your passport photo! I already had photocopied that and cut it to size. I am so happy to now know otherwise!
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on May 25, 2007 6:06:11 GMT -5
I suppose it could be a very high quality copy. It just can't be a grainy xerox.
|
|
|
Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on May 25, 2007 10:59:32 GMT -5
When we stopped into a post office to mail postcards, I saw a little photo booth. Is that used for taking the Carte Orange photos?
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on May 25, 2007 11:03:22 GMT -5
In 2003 I brought a photo with me to Paris, cut out from my London-2002-album. Photo taken by my beloved (then 16 year old) son at the top of the dome of St. Pauls Cathedral. Not exactly highclass photography. I still have the same Carte Orange.....
|
|
|
Post by Sandy M on May 30, 2007 14:30:54 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me when Carte Orange will no longer be valid - I seem to remember reading somewhere that the CO will no longer be used after the end of July??? I'm hoping someone has some update to info for me. Thanks much. Sandy
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on May 31, 2007 10:59:15 GMT -5
Sandy, the July date was the last guess I've seen also. I read that awhile back on "the other" forum posted by a local who said it's normal for things are phased in and out in July, and typically don't come with a lot of advance notice. So it will be interesting to hear if that info is available yet!
|
|
|
Post by Sandy M on May 31, 2007 14:53:07 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply annettecinca - guess we'll just have to wait until closer to the end of July and see what happens. I made friends with one of the hotel staff when I was there in May so I may write to her and see if she has any info. Thanks again for the reply. Sandy
|
|
|
Post by mez on Aug 15, 2007 4:34:29 GMT -5
More questions about the Carte D'Orange.
I understand the timeframes around when I can use the card and the pricing, so that's taken care of.
I don't, however, have a Carte D'Orange. So when I ask for the carte and hebdo coupon do I say 'Un carte d'orange et un (une?) coupon hebdomadaire, svp' - yes or otherwise?
So, I get the card, write my details, attach the photo (as per Truffaut instructions posted above) and ensure I write the card number on my coupon as well.
Is there anything else that needs to be completed and kept by the RATP employees?
I guess I'm asking because it doesn't seem logical to have to have a CO when you can buy the weekly (or monthly) tickets without showing the CO for later pruchases. I understand you need to present the coupn and CO if asked but considering the CO is free, the question in my mind is still why? Tradition, or something else?
Thanks, Mez.
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Aug 15, 2007 6:28:19 GMT -5
You have to have the CO along with the coupon to prevent more than one person from using the coupon. That's why you write the CO # on the ticket.
You can be stopped and asked to show the CO when using the coupon and the picture better match up with the person using it!
|
|
|
Post by sandy on Aug 15, 2007 6:30:19 GMT -5
For those who never saw or used a Carte Orange, here it is: This is the Carte Orange with a Coupon Hebdomenaire in its plastic holder. You see I wrote the number at the bottom of the CO on the coupon and my name in the CO (and the picture is a little bit old, I don´t look much different now but nobody checked it). Mez, that´s all it takes. When you get on a bus you just show the open plastic holder to the bus driver, and when you travel by metro or train you take the coupon out of the holder and insert it in the machines (don´t forget to take it back). You don´t have to fill any form to get the CO. I still don´t know why it has to be personalized either, but that´s the way it is.
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Aug 15, 2007 7:47:27 GMT -5
Sandra, Posting a photo is very helpful. I'd like to stress that you MUST have the photo card along with your coupon, otherwise you can be fined something along the lines of 75 euros. We are seeing more and more control agents every time we're on the Métro. Honestly, though, you're most likely to be stopped if you have brown skin and are under 30 years old.
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Aug 15, 2007 7:59:50 GMT -5
Yes Truffaut, sadly enought, the brown skin and the younger age is true. Often on late night métro the controllers would let me walk by without a word but stop young arab men for their ticket (which they had) It must be infuriating for them.
|
|
|
Post by greyghost1 on Aug 15, 2007 10:32:09 GMT -5
Sandy, that's cool that you did that. I've never seen someone do it before on any forum.
|
|
|
Post by mez on Aug 16, 2007 10:20:11 GMT -5
Sandy, thanks for the example. It makes alot of sense having read loads of posts about it. The funny thing is - it's orange! I know that's what it's called in French but for some strange reason I wasn't expecting it to be orange in colour - haha.
Also, can someone answer my question that I posted - I think it got lost in all the detail. I aksed "So when I ask for the carte and hebdo coupon do I say 'Un carte d'orange et un (une?) coupon hebdomadaire, svp' - yes or otherwise?"
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by sandy on Aug 16, 2007 10:28:54 GMT -5
Yes Mez, that´s correct. Maybe you will need to clarify if it is for the current week, if you buy it after Monday, or for the following week.
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Aug 16, 2007 11:52:24 GMT -5
"Je voudrais une carte orange avec un coupon hebdomadaire pour deux zones, s'il vous plait."
You will need to specify how many zones you want and unless you're planning to go outside the city, 2 zones is all you'll need.
There's no need to worry about specifying which week, because there is never a time when you can buy a ticket for both the current week AND a future week. You can buy for the coming week (valid beginning Monday morning) starting on Friday. You can buy for the current week (expiring Sunday night) up through Wednesday. There are no sales at all on Thursdays.
|
|
|
Post by mez on Aug 16, 2007 19:32:14 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!
Let's just hope the Metro people co-operate and give me the CO when I arrive at Gare du Nord.
And on another note - just to whet my appetite a bit more - I got an email from Vacation In Paris telling me they have sent out my keys. Yippee!!!
Mez
|
|