River-Boat shuttle service press KIT Updated March 2014
Contents INTRODUCTION 3 HISTORY 4 News 2014 5 Timetable Activities Look Annual Pass Batobus 6 8 stops 6 boats Timetable Tickets HOP ON, HOP OFF as you please... 2
INTRODUCTION Discover Paris from the Seine in complete freedom! The Batobus company is a subsidiary of Bateaux Parisiens and a member of the Sodexo Group. It provides a riverboat shuttle service on the Seine. Its panoramic boats put in at eight stops close to the main districts and monuments of Paris. Passengers can use the Batobus Pass to board and alight where they want, when they want and as often as they want during the period of validity chosen (1 day, 2 days,1 year ). For tourists, Batobus is an original, pleasant means of transport for visiting the capital. For Parisians, it is a way of rediscovering the city as a couple or with friends of family with no traffic jams! Key figures 1,800,000 passengers in 2013 A record number of passengers 14,000 in a single day 3
a fine story 13 years already! The river shuttle service was started in 1989 during the celebration of the Bicentenary of the French Revolution. The Autonomous Port of Paris was entrusted with the management of the new service and awarded the concession to Bateaux Parisiens on an annual renewal basis. In 1996, the concession was renewed for thirteen seasons under the name Batobus. Six stops were planned: four on the left bank and two on the right bank. Two further stops were added later: Jardin des Plantes and Champs-Elysées. Since July 2005, the service has been under the authority of the STIF (Syndicat des Transports d Ile de France). Since 2002, Batobus undertaking to provide passengers with high quality service has been validated by AFNOR (French industrial standards authority) certification. Key features of Batobus Service all the year round in both summer and winter! 8 stops in ideal positions on the Seine, in the heart of Paris. Comfortable glassed-over boats that are heated in winter and have a terrace at the stern. Pass formula tickets to hop on and hop off at will. A boat every 12 to 25 minutes on average. Service with AFNOR certification, a guarantee of quality. 4
news 2014 Timetable Service all the year round Previously stopped in January, the service now runs all the year round, 7 days a week! Longer service The Batobus operating timetable has been simplified and service is guaranteed until 19.00 during the low season! This is ideal for admiring the illuminated monuments and bridges in the winter. The boats run until 21.30 during the peak season. Increased frequency Waiting times have been shortened as there is now a boat every 25 minutes during the low season (15 to 20 minutes during the hight season). Activities & entertainment Batobus is part of the Parisian heritage and makes an active contribution to the cultural and artistic dynamism of the capital. Batobus is part of the life of Paris: April marked the start of the Batobus Chasse au Trésor (Treasure Hunt), specially designed for Parisian families and their children in search of adventures in a free atmosphere. On Saturday 28 September 2013, Batobus hosted the private showcase of the singer Rose in partnership with Velib. Last autumn, Batobus was a partner of the famous contemporary art fair - Foire internationale de l art contemporain (Fiac) - and also of Paris Fashion Week. LOOK A programme of investment was planned to freshen up the ticket booths and to improve the lighting of the stops and the boats. AN ANNUAL BATOBUS PASS: A GREAT IDEA! The 2014 Annual Pass has been on sale since 1 January. Valid until 31 December, the Pass gives access to the Batobus service throughout the year. Board as often as you wish! An Annual Pass means freedom in the heart of Paris in 2014! Only 60 ( 38 for children) 3 5
the batobus service Hop on, hop off as you please... 8 STops Batobus boats put in at 8 stops, all close to key districts, monuments and museums of Paris: Tour Eiffel : Port de la Bourdonnais, Paris 7 e Jardin des Plantes : Quai Saint-Bernard, Paris 5 e Musée d Orsay : Port de Solférino, Paris 7 e Hôtel-de-Ville : Quai de l Hôtel de Ville, Paris 4 e St-Germain-des-Prés : Quai Malaquais, Paris 6 e Notre-Dame : Quai de Montebello, Paris 5 e Louvre : Quai du Louvre, Paris 1 er Champs-Elysées : Port des Champs Elysées, Paris 8 e 6 Boats The fleet consists of six trimarans of original, modern design (capacity: 200 passengers per boat). Each Batobus is named after a famous place in Paris (Vendôme, Trocadéro, etc.) and is comfortable, with optimum visibility. KEY FEATURES: A facility forward for transporting bicycles, A terrace in the stern giving a marvellous view of the banks of the Seine and numerous Parisian monuments, Friendly staff speaking several languages. Information is provided about nearby places of interest (this is not a guided visit). 6
Timetable The Batobus timetable differs according to the season: Low season from 8 September to 10 April: a boat every 25 minutes from 10.00 to 19.00 High season from 11 April to 7 September: a boat every 20 minutes from 10.00 to 21.30 Tickets Batobus tickets are on sale at every stop: ticket office staff inform and advise customers when they buy tickets and also provide information about places of interest in each district (museums, shops, must-see monuments, etc.). The ticket is a Pass: passengers can board and disembark where and when they want during the period of validity chosen. BATOBUS PASSES Passes are valid for one day or several consecutive days: 1 day: 16 ( 7 for children less than 16 years old, Privilege rate, 10 (1) ) 2 days: 18 ( 9 for children less than 16 years old, Privilege rate, 12 (1) ) Annual (2) : 60 ( 38 for children less than 16 years old) Monter et descendre où on veut, quand on veut www.batobus.fr Hop on, Hop off as you please une société du groupe ket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -tic ket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -tic ket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -ticket -t BATOBUS BILLET 2014 V3.indd 1 17/03/14 20:49 PARIS À LA CARTE PASSES Paris à la Carte passes can be used at the 8 Batobus stops and on OpenTour buses with their 50 stops (4 circuits): 2-Day Pass: 45 ( 20 for children less than 12 years old) 3-Day Pass: 49 ( 20 for children less than 12 years old) (1) Privilege rate: holders of a student card, an ISIC card, large family card, holders of Imagine R, Navigo, Forfaits intégrale, Carte Emeraude, Carte Améthyste. (2) Annual Pass: 1 January to 31 December. 7
For further information Compagnie des Batobus Port de la Bourdonnais 75007 Paris 0 825 05 01 01 (0,15 ttc/mn) service.information.fr@batobus.com Press Contact and Marketing Morgane Blanchard (+33) 1 80 73 97 34 morgane.blanchard@bateauxparisiens.com Noémie Ponnelle (+33) 1 80 73 97 54 noemie.ponnelle@batobus.com