Île-de-France Mobilités triggers its heatwave plan for public transport in the Paris region to cope with the heat peak expected this Tuesday, July 30. Distribution of water briquettes, installation of drinking water fountains and shaded areas with misters are among the many measures put in place to protect passengers and spectators of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as announced by Valérie Pécresse, President of the region.
After rain capes, fans are becoming indispensable for coping with the high temperatures forecast for the Paris region. Although the heat is expected to peak on Tuesday, temperatures of up to 40°C are expected as early as today.
Starting this Monday afternoon, 2.5 million water briquettes will be distributed by SNCF and RATP in 74 public transport stations. This initiative, far in excess of the 120,000 units usually stocked for a non-Olympic summer, is aimed at preventing the effects of the heatwave on passengers. The cardboard bottles will be distributed mainly on non-air-conditioned lines by station staff.
Valérie Pécresse also points out that 94 stations are now equipped with drinking water fountains, 32 of which directly serve competition venues, marking an important legacy of Paris 2024. Users can find the locations of these fountains and the toilets available in stations on the region's open data site.
Water fountains are available, as are QR code coupons for a free bottle of water at Relay stores in the main stations.
To enhance passenger comfort, Île-de-France Mobilités has set up shaded passenger zones or equipped them with misters and shades, notably near the shuttles leading to the competition venues. For example, 20 misters will be deployed in five zones near the Versailles (Rive Droite, Chantiers, Château), Chelles and Bussy-Saint-Georges stations.
Since 2016, IDFM has been systematizing air conditioning on all public transport. Currently, 43% of buses, 73% of trains and almost 100% of streetcars are air-conditioned. 46% of metros are equipped with refrigerated ventilation, with a target of 100% air-conditioned by 2035. For the Games, delivery tricycles will distribute 200,000 hats, fans and water bottles near fan zones and shuttle stations.
It remains to be seen whether the rail network will keep up despite the heatwave. On July 19, a very hot day severely disrupted traffic on the RER A, B and C lines.
For more information on the measures to be applied in times of heatwave, and news of the heatwave plan in Île-de-France, visit the ARS Île-de-France website.
