The Paris Metro has stopped selling traditional paper tickets since Wednesday, which have been an integral part of the system for 125 years, reports LETA citing DPA.
The Paris public transport company RATP stated that the abandonment of paper tickets has become the culmination of a years-long transition to electronic tickets.
Two years ago, the Paris Metro stopped selling the popular ten-ticket bundle "Carnet de 10" at a reduced price, which was favored by tourists. Gradually, the number of points of sale for paper tickets also decreased.
Parisians will be able to use paper single-use tickets that have been purchased but not yet used until next year. Later, paper tickets can be exchanged.
RATP explained that the decision to stop producing and recycling paper tickets is aimed at reducing environmental impact. Additionally, the company seeks to optimize passenger flow, enhance passenger comfort, and simplify access to public transport for all categories of users.
At the beginning of the phased abandonment of paper tickets, RATP estimated that over 500 million paper tickets are sold annually, which subsequently end up in the trash or on the streets.
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