Paris’s iconic metro system, once a source of pride for the city, has become a daily source of frustration for commuters as the French capital prepares to host the 2024 Olympics. The system, which transports millions of people daily, has been plagued by delays, overcrowding, and understaffing since the COVID-19 pandemic.
User satisfaction has plummeted since 2020, when the RATP, which operates the metro, cut services due to mass work-from-home policies. Many employees were furloughed and never returned, while the training of new staff slowed significantly. As a result, trains are often overcrowded and run late, with some lines experiencing delays of up to 15 minutes during peak hours.
The situation is expected to worsen during the Olympics, when an estimated seven million visitors will descend upon Paris. The metro will be a crucial mode of transportation for both tourists and locals, putting immense strain on the already struggling system.
In response to the growing pressure, the RATP has implemented a major staff recruitment drive and is racing to complete key line extensions ahead of the Games. However, despite these efforts, eight out of ten lines still fall short of the minimum performance standard of 90% punctuality.
To mitigate the impact of the metro’s shortcomings, the city is promoting alternative modes of transportation. Each Olympic venue will be accessible by bike, with hundreds of kilometers of new cycle lanes and thousands of parking spots being built. Additionally, there will be no parking provision for cars at sports venues, which is expected to lead to increased traffic congestion.
Despite the challenges, organizers remain confident that the city’s transportation system will be able to handle the influx of visitors. They are urging Parisians to embrace walking and cycling as alternative modes of transportation.
