So here it is, the new Aixpress bus.
The manufacturers call it an ‘ie-tram’, whereas the Aix mairie refers to it as an ‘autobus’, and this does reflect the dual use of the vehicle in that it will run along inside its own designated lane for most of its journey (like a tram), but can also function like a normal bus where necessary.
It is electric-powered with zero emissions. The 15 buses can be charged up at the terminus in just 4 minutes, and will overnight at the depot at Pont de l’Arc. There are 19 ‘stations’ as they are called en route and the 7,2km journey will be completed in 25 minutes. The buses will run at 5 minute intervals.
Inside the bus, there is space for 78 people (22 seated), and room for a wheelchair and a pushchair. Four seats will be reserved, as present, for people with mobility issues. There will be wifi access – and all that glass will be specially treated to stop us all frying in summers like this one.
The first one will be launched for trial on…..1st April 2019. Uh-oh! Maybe not the best start-date!
TRAVEL OFFER: Just found out that there is a Région Sud PACA offer for the Journées du Patrimoine and the Semaine de la Mobilité, 15, 16 and 17 Sept.
You can get a 5€ pass to ride on TER trains right across the region all day, or a 5€ pass for the LER buses.
Buy at train-stations for TER or gares routiers at Aix, Marseille, Manosque, Digne-les-Bains, or on the buses.
Details: https://www.ter.sncf.com/paca/offres/pass-promos/semaine-europeenne-mobilite
aixcentric 
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