Peculiar Paris Pod (4)

… was developed in 2013 to provide access to the new bus station (gare routiere). It involved extending the platforms, presumably under said bus station as here viewed from the eastern footbridge.

It is, of course, how public transport should always be, with modes fully integrated.

But there is no integration from this newer part of the station with the now abandoned Mini Metro, the Peculiar Parisian Pod.

This is the as-built way to and from the RER platforms. To the left, as we gaze upon this welcoming entrance …

… in the gloom of a now-removed canopy, we see the anonymous roller shutter that gave access to the closed Mini Metro. Later pictures show this access replaced by a mural and a locked door.

Clearly the authorities have long since given up any notion of rejuvenating the funny little trains, although it would have made an intriguing visitor attraction. 

Any visit nowadays is bound to be both fascinating but depressing.

Likewise, anything potentially saleable has been ripped from the co

But it is the vandalised pods that look so sad.

One lies half on its side having been tipped over “for fun” …

… but the manufacturers logo is still visible here and there.

The RATP (Paris City Transport) logo can still be seen on some cars …

… because for nearly a decade after M Pelletin’s fall from commercial grace, RATP was required to keep everything in working order. 

… was one who took advantage of official visits and he ended his vlog with this screen.

After struggling with a translation from French into english of the word “underground”, fbb concludes that plans are in hand for a chic hybrid underground space – whatever that may be. There is an artist’s impression on-line …

… which rather suggests that it is not the sort of place that would over excite fbb’s elderly heart – thankfully. It certainly offers no memory of what the Mini Metro was supposed to be.

Sadly. 

Quel dommage!