metro-ligne-8-paris

5 tips to survive on line 8 in Paris

undefined undefined 4 mars 2024 undefined 15h01

undefined undefined 4 mars 2024 undefined 18h03

The Editor

Strongly crowded, train cars resembling real sardine tins, excessively long waiting times, almost daily interruptions... The line 8, the longest in the Parisian network, is far from its glory days. Snubbed by all the residents of Île-de-France, who are still obliged to use it regularly, the purple line takes a beating. And for good reason, it's not the most pleasant line to travel on. Between its old train cars, its horror movie-like lighting, its seats from another era... A good makeover wouldn't go amiss. During a press conference on February 28th, Valerie Pécresse, president of Île-de-France Mobilités, and Jean Castex, president of the RATP, announced a modernization plan over several years. 1 billion and 100 million euros are involved. It was for the renovation of the trains (in operation for over 30 years), a new fleet of trains, and a new train maintenance center in Créteil, among other things. By 2030, line 8 will have been completely refurbished. But in the meantime, how to survive the daily commute?


Let's look at other alternatives

After all, isn't line 9 a bit of the same but more comfortable? Enough with the jokes, we know very well, we don't take line 8 for fun but because we don't have much choice. But after all, the nice days are almost here: it's time to make the most of that old b.Ike bought for a song on LeBoncoin or to use your legs for a short daily walk in the streets of Paris. Prioritize walking as much as possible, your overall well-being will thank you.


Opt for earphones or noise-canceling headphones

If walking isn't your thing, or at least, if an hour-long walk before hours of work isn't feasible (and we understand).So, if you want to fully enjoy your music without any distractions, maximizing your comfort is key. Choose headphones or a headset that block out as much noise as possible around you to immerse yourself in your own little bubble. You don't need to break the bank, some wireless earbuds do a great job at keeping out the noise for a minimal price.  


Respecting Each Other's Personal Space

When the subway is crowded, there are certain rules to follow. Put your backpack at your feet, let people out before entering, don't sit on the fold-down seats, don't lean your back against the central pole, don't play Instagram Stories without headphones with the volume all the way up... In short, we respect each other's personal space, so that ours is respected in return. And if someone doesn't follow the etiquette, don't hesitate to tap them on the back and kindly point it out. Let's avoid arguments before 8:30, okay?


Heading to the Ends of the Train to Score a Seat

There's no denying that standing and being packed like sardines during your trip is nothing compared to a nice, warm seat warmed up by our comfy behinds. To get one, it's simply survival of the fittest. Our trick is to head to the ends of the train, to get as close as possible to the.4 or 6 seat squares and be on the lookout for any movement. Unless you are really unlucky, at least one seat should become available at the next stations. But be careful, still be nice. We always give priority to elderly, disabled, or pregnant people, we are not savages.

Think about your colleague. Not just any colleague, but a colleague who shares the same daily commute as you. They may not be easy to spot, but take a closer look around. Seeing a familiar, almost friendly face amongst the crowd of strangers can bring a little comfort to your heart. 💛 #commuterlife #friendlyfaces
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