It Is All On Line – Thankfully Out Of Date
In studying the former (and now replaced) Paladin 4 route from La Croix de Berny …
… we re helped by some out of date R A T P Paris maps and a partially complete enthusiast web site. So fbb began his tour of the toute using said “site non-officiel”. But a gaze at the gloriousness of Google Streetview revealed a real bonus.
The 4 strikes off north alongside the western edge of Parc de Sceaux.
This lesser known estate has been in the hands of the local authority since 1946 and is open to the public with a whole range of “events” throughout the year. Unclear from the above colouring is the Grand Canal a long ornamental lake which appears flat green above. Here a better plan!
The Grande Maison is the latest in a line of posh pads built or rebuilt in the Parc …
… and somewhat subdued (?) after a previous “chateau”.
There are other water featuires including a cascade and big fountain …
… reminiscent (but not as big as!) the gardens at Chatsworth. What Chatsworth does NOT have, however, is the gorgeous displays of cherry blossom if you visit at the right time of year.
Also, for those who like a paddle, is the “gue” (accent aigu missing! – it means “ford”) across the lake. A popular paddle in periods of prolonged “chaud”.
The first stop of the Paladin 4 is at the Avenue de Vignes entrance to the Park,
And this is Streetview’s treat! There are two bus stops here, one of which (the older pole) is labelled for service 4.
We enter the community of Sceaux …
… before hanging a left and stopping at “Coulee Verte” (poetically the “green river”) …
… because running north and south from the stop is, indeed, a wide “river” of grass bordered by trees. Magnifique!
The next stop is called General de Gaulle …
… for no obvious reason. It reminds us of the principle in many French communities of giving memorable names to its bus and tram stops. Sometimes they refer to local roads or landmarks but often, as here, they a simply, well, memorable names.
Here we are in “Superior” apartment land …
… with plenty of cars and not a lot of custom for the bus.
Next is the Mairie de Chatenay-Malabry.
In France, any community with claims to status (however false) had to have a Mairie to accommodate its Maire and his/her staff in a certain degree of opulence.
From here, our Paladin 4 performs a hook shaped route through residential areas.
Remember the dark brown bit is only for occasional journeys hurrying directly back to base after a busy day!
There are several one way narrow bits but the ambience is high class property all the way.
These futuristic blocks …
… are served by a stop called Jules Verne! Tres science-fiction!
The 4 crosses the main tram T10 route and wiggles round more pleasant blocks with parks …
… pleasant wooded areas …
… and a profusion or stylish recycling bins.
The terminus is at Cimetiere Nouveau (which isn’t very “nouveau”); and, lookee, there is a No 4 terminating!
The Cemetery is tastefully hidden behind an ugly cast concrete wall!
But is does have a posh entrance …
… despite being only a “branch office” of the main Antony Cemetery just a mile away!
If fbb were ever to stray from This Sceptred Isle and revisit Paris, a ride on the replacement for the Paladin 4 is on his “to do” list.
But what has replaced it?
At first glance (and second glance) it appears that the service 12 (which we met yesterday) has been merged with Paladin 4 to be the new 412.
The on-line entry for Reseau Paladin concludes by telling us where to find its replacement’
Le Paladin était un réseau de bus urbain créé en 1990 remplacé le 1er août 2022 par le réseau de bus de la Bièvre.
So there we go!
Indeed, the 4 has “fusionne” with the 12 and given a “nouveau numero” of 412. Equally obviously many of the original Paladin routes …
… (and there were four school services as well) …
… had already been withdrawn, changed or merged before the latest revision to the routes now numbered in the 400s.
It would make a fascinating study to find out what went where and when, but it is way beyond fbb’s pay grade!
So, can we find a timetable and a map for the new 412?
Answer; yes and no!
Yesterday was fbb’s next eye stabbing which went tolerably well. But eyewash, iodine, water and anaesthetic wetness, plus the actual injections, do make the peepers a bit weary. At 2000, fbb decided that grappling with the 412 was just too much so this blog …
… is to be continued!
Non-Nissen Arrives – Boxed & Beautiful
Polystyrene packed …
… upside down …
… and very small!
fbb’s plans include innovative enlargement with a basement floor and a sun deck for the enjoyment of its holiday tenants.
Only Lasted A Year
First Glasgow has today (10th July) announced the withdrawal of its night bus services in Glasgow, which will commence on 31st July.
The decision was made following a 12-month period of monitoring passenger numbers, which revealed that services were regularly operating with as few as 14 passengers per hour. Despite facing significant losses, First Bus has continued to run its night services through the city.
The change will impact 11 routes that operate across the city in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.
First Glasgow reintroduced its night bus services in June 2022 to help boost the night-time economy in the city as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
No they didn’t. It was to help boost First’s profits – or to cut their losses!
Despite significant efforts from First Glasgow to promote the services …
That would be lots of leaflets, adverts in the press and on local radio plus big bright posters in the main entertainment venues?
Thought not!
… including offering free tickets in December last year, passenger numbers remained between 30% and 35%.
If that is 30% to 35% loading per bus, it isn’t at all bad! It would be amazing beyond belief oif every daytime First Glasgow bus carried such loads.
First Glasgow’s night buses covered travel from the city centre across Glasgow and the surrounding areas including Clydebank, Paisley, Newton Mearns, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Motherwell and Wishaw.
Interestingly ALL of these routes are “out of town” longer distance services; what ever happened to he big city housing “schemes”?
Here is Glasgow’s dramatic “night service” N9 to Paisley …
… operating Friday night early Saturday morning and Saturday night early Sunday morning.
Lavish service, Eh?
For comparison, here is another N9 service of similar frequency and operating days.
And which hotbed of mass entertainment does it serve?
It takes folk from that party goers heaven, Newport, to the huge housing schemes of Ryde, Isle of Wight. It has been running successfully for many years. GoAhead Southern Vectis is the operator.
Must try harder, First!
NO CHANCE!
Next 4 + 12 = 412 blog : Wednesday 12th July
Add Your Comment