Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
We used them for three days in February, during the day and at night. It was a "new" Paris for us as we went to places we'd never seen before--and that after probably 10 trips to Paris. During our long weekend stay we didn't use a single metro ticket. In 2009, we're taking the daughter of friends with us for her first time in Paris (graduation gift) and as a cyclist, she can't wait to try out the Velibs. Happy b'day indeed.
Any more reports in the last nine months?
The English version of the web site is up, but the translation isn't great. Note the topics on the top of the page.
Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
Quote:
Originally Posted by DennyO
Any more reports in the last nine months?
The English version of the web site is up, but the translation isn't great. Note the topics on the top of the page.
The Velib system was alive and well about three or four weeks ago when we were in Paris, once again. I didn't notice a larger number of ill-maintained or out-of-service bikes than last spring. I was not able to use my Capital One VISA card (the terminal didn't accept the cad as valid) but didn't have a problem using my regular Hilton Honors American Express card, w/o the "smartchip." I had forgotten my AMEX Blue card with the smart chip and thought we wouldn't be able to rent bikes. man, was I glad that the non-smart card worked.
One annoying thing we ran into: When we first registered with our CC (no problem with following the English instructions on the screen of every rental location that we went to), we completed the whole transaction--only to find that no RECEIPT was printing out, which contains your transaction ID which you need (together with your self-chosen PIN) to rent bikes. 9we could hear some rum,blings inside the terminal, but no receipt was issued.) This happened three times on the first day! I banged on the terminal the way you would on any vending machine that's eaten up your quarter! Nothing! And then I had the ingenious idea to blow (yes, inhale hard and blow) into the slot that dispenses the receipt (printed on cardboard stock, about the size of a credit card). Believe it or not, the receipt dislodged itself on the inside of the terminal and we had our receipt. We were charged an extra 3 euro for rerunning at different rental terminals our intial rental of the day. So, if this advice saves you a euro, send me lots of good karma or an eVIP via the CC.
I can't tell you how much more fun it is to explore Paris via Velibe than by metro or bus. It's a simple, beautiful system that's probably the best bargain in Paris.
Can you take a velib bike out of the city limits? I am guessing no, but if you bring it back, it may be fine.
I was thinking of going to Versailles that way, but at 4eur per half hour (after the first) plus the cost of the RER, it would be cheaper to take Fat Tire's tour.
Vélib bikes are heavy and clunky. Even if you don't take their tour, Fat Tire rents bikes for €15 euros/day or €50 euros/week. That might be a better option for Versailles than a Vélib.
Vélib bikes are heavy and clunky. Even if you don't take their tour, Fat Tire rents bikes for €15 euros/day or €50 euros/week. That might be a better option for Versailles than a Vélib.
Fat Tire rents bikes that look somewhat heavy from the pictures, but no likely as clunky as velibs. Paris Bike
does but for 50€ per day. The other question, can I take it on the RER C?
No bikes allowed on the metro, bus, tramways, or the Funiculaire of Montmartre, with the exception of metro line 1 on Sundays and holidays until 4:30 p.m.
In the RER you can transport your bike
-all day long on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
-the other days before 6:30 a.m., between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and after 7 p.m.
You need to take it in one of the specially marked cars and keep hold of it. You cannot take it on escalators.
No bikes allowed on the metro, bus, tramways, or the Funiculaire of Montmartre, with the exception of metro line 1 on Sundays and holidays until 4:30 p.m.
In the RER you can transport your bike
-all day long on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
-the other days before 6:30 a.m., between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and after 7 p.m.
You need to take it in one of the specially marked cars and keep hold of it. You cannot take it on escalators.
...One annoying thing we ran into: When we first registered with our CC (no problem with following the English instructions on the screen of every rental location that we went to), we completed the whole transaction--only to find that no RECEIPT was printing out, which contains your transaction ID which you need (together with your self-chosen PIN) to rent bikes...
I had the exact same problem, which meant I was only able to get one bike for my 1 EUR. The subscription number/Id also shows on the display but you need to be prepared if you want to make a note of it in case the printer doesn't work...
Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
Quote:
Originally Posted by KRS
I had the exact same problem, which meant I was only able to get one bike for my 1 EUR. The subscription number/Id also shows on the display but you need to be prepared if you want to make a note of it in case the printer doesn't work...
Yeah, this seems to be a problem with the cardstock they use. Later I noticed a number of receipts scattered on the ground. I assume they finally somehow were dislodged and fell to the ground. We lost just a couple of euros, but I was worried (until I saw the credit card statement) that there might be a charge for a bike that was never returned--I knew that fear was fairly baseless, but then, one never knows.
So: Blow into the slot if the receipt doesn't come out on its own volition.
BTW, I watched a German news program on the general strike in France today (3/19) and couldn't help but notice a totally empty Velibe station in the background. Even though the public transport system was said to be working fairly well during this strike, I assume the Parisians relied extra-heavily on the Velibes today.Ah, the French, no, mon ami, they are not stupid, non?
Has anyone tried other charge cards other than AMEX? For example, I have a Diner's Club Card (owned by citi and branded mastercard) and I was curious if it would work.
Also, I was wondering if I did go out and get an AMEX, could I get two bikes with it at a time for my wife and I, or would I need two credit cards/two velib accounts.
Has anyone tried other charge cards other than AMEX? For example, I have a Diner's Club Card (owned by citi and branded mastercard) and I was curious if it would work.
Also, I was wondering if I did go out and get an AMEX, could I get two bikes with it at a time for my wife and I, or would I need two credit cards/two velib accounts.
I used one AMEX card to get two accounts, for my wife and myself. Easy. Not sure about other cards but I saw so many posts here and elsewhere consistently saying AMEX is the only US card, I had to believe there is something to it.
Could someone describe the procedures for purchasing a Navigo pass and linking velib' access to it?
It is my current understanding that you can purchase a Navigo pass at the major train stations as long you have a photo; further I understand that you can use the Navigo pass for the Velib' system as long as you link a CC someone.
If anyone has done this it would be great if they could describe the procedures.
Could someone describe the procedures for purchasing a Navigo pass and linking velib' access to it?
It is my current understanding that you can purchase a Navigo pass at the major train stations as long you have a photo; further I understand that you can use the Navigo pass for the Velib' system as long as you link a CC someone.
If anyone has done this it would be great if they could describe the procedures.
All the linked Navigo (and also the Navigo Découverte) does is let you take a bike directly from the rack rather than having to use the kiosque.
In order to use it, you first need to get a Vélib subscription, either an annual one or a 1- or 7-day subscription purchased at the Vélib kiosque. The kiosque will give instructions on linking the Navigo at the time of subscription purchase.
The list of accepted credit cards is the same as previously mentioned in post #17 of this thread.
