Jobaaj Stories
Paris Ring Road & A13 Motorway: New Carpool Lanes Launched!
Starting March 3rd, 2025, Paris is making a significant change to its roadways to improve traffic flow and encourage carpooling! As part of the legacy of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, dedicated carpool lanes are now open on the Paris ring road and sections of the A1 and A13 motorways. This three-year trial aims to reduce congestion and promote sustainable transportation. Let's dive into the details.
Where are the new carpool lanes?
The left-hand lane of the Paris ring road, spanning 26km between Porte de Sèvres (15th arrondissement) and Bercy (12th arrondissement), is now reserved for carpoolers during peak hours (7 am to 10:30 am and 4 pm to 8 pm). Similar lanes are active on the A1 and A13:
- A1: 6:30 am to 10 am (Roissy → Saint-Denis) and 5 pm to 6:30 pm (Saint-Denis → A86).
- A13: 7 am to 10 am between Roquencourt and the Saint-Cloud tunnel.
These A13 bouchons (traffic jams) should hopefully be eased by this initiative. Keep in mind that these times are subject to change based on traffic conditions.
Who can use the carpool lanes?
The carpool lanes are open to vehicles with at least two people (including babies), taxis, public transport, holders of the Carte mobilité inclusion stationnement, and emergency vehicles. Vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes (excluding buses) are not permitted. It's all about sharing the road and making it more efficient!
- Cars with at least two passengers
- Taxis and VTCs
- Public transport vehicles
- Emergency services vehicles
How will the lanes be enforced?
Special radars are in place to monitor compliance. The Hovy system is used on the Paris ring road, while the Pryntec system is used on the A1 and A13, similar to systems in other French cities like Lyon and Strasbourg. For the first three months, the system will be used for educational purposes, with fines starting May 1st, 2025, at €135.
Look for a luminous white diamond symbol above the roadway to indicate an active carpool lane. Remember, knowing the rules and respecting them is crucial to ensure the success of this project. The A13 toll system is also being updated, with free-flow payment now in effect. While convenient, make sure to pay your toll online within 72 hours to avoid hefty penalties.
Why are carpool lanes being implemented?
This initiative is part of Paris's broader plan to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and make traffic flow smoother. By encouraging carpooling, the city aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, leading to lower emissions and a better quality of life for residents.
- Improved air quality
- Reduced noise pollution
- Smoother traffic flow
- Lower energy consumption
Conclusion
The new carpool lanes on the Paris ring road and A13 represent a significant step towards more sustainable transportation in the Île-de-France region. While the success of this initiative depends on driver compliance, the potential benefits for the environment and traffic flow are substantial. Let's all do our part to make this experiment a success and help reduce congestion and pollution in Paris!
