Comparison of Features Between “Transport Public Paris 2024” and Google Maps or Citymapper

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Launched by Île-de-France Mobilités in April 2024, Transport Public Paris 2024 is “ the official application for getting around during the Olympic Games “. In particular, it will allow you to use your smartphone (iPhone or Android) to validate your transport ticket in the metro.

The Paris Olympic Games also mean new applications. In addition to JOptimiz for road traffic and TradSNCF for translation in stations, France has developed a new tool for public transport, walking and cycling: Transport Public Paris 2024. This mobile application, available on iOS And Android since April 22, is a derived version of the Bonjour RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités apps, since it integrates almost the same functions, in a very similar interface. During the Olympics, it will allow you to choose the ideal route to get from point A to point B.

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Technically speaking, it is already possible to try Transport Public Paris 2024. The interest is nevertheless limited, since the personalized itineraries of the application, which will “dispatch” travelers on different routes so as not to saturate the lines, are not still active. However, it is already possible to compare it to Google Maps or Citymapper, the two references in terms of navigation.

Public Transport Paris 2024, an application for tourists

The first mission of Transport Public Paris 2024 is to help visitors to the capital plan their journeys.

When you first start it, the application encourages you to save the stadiums you plan to visit in your favorites. You must enter the dates on your tickets, so that the application will suggest the desired route when the time comes (there will be a notification the day before). Of course, there is also a search box to navigate to a destination at any time, just like in any navigation app.

With its large Paris 2024 logo, the application should be easily identifiable in stores around the world.
With its large Paris 2024 logo, the application should be easily identifiable in stores around the world. // Source: Numerama

The Transport Public Paris 2024 interface is not likely to destabilize Ile-de-France residents, since it is a copy and paste of other Île-de-France Mobilités applications (with a purple theme). Under the favorites section (with the stadiums), we find news from the region or the general plan of the network. Tabs allow you to consult timetables or traffic information in real time, like in Bonjour RATP.

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In just a few minutes in the application, you can easily identify the target of Transport Public Paris 2024: tourists. The application, which speaks six languages, will be suggested to all Olympic visitors, who can use it to find a route or… buy a ticket. The “Purchase” tab, inactive today, will soon integrate the Navigo pass on iPhone or Android. The Paris 2024 package will be suggested to them, as well as individual tickets. The other passes will be exclusive to the IdF Mobilités application.

The interface of Transport Public Paris 2024 is generally identical to that of other IdFM apps. The Purchase tab, still inactive, will be activated in mid-June.The interface of Transport Public Paris 2024 is generally identical to that of other IdFM apps. The Purchase tab, still inactive, will be activated in mid-June.
The interface of Transport Public Paris 2024 is generally identical to that of other IdFM apps. The Purchase tab, still inactive, will be activated in mid-June. // Source: Numerama

Clearly, the Transport Public Paris 2024 application is a digital portfolio for visitors to the capital. It allows you, in the same place, to find routes by metro, by bike or on foot, while recharging your virtual pass.

Better stadium referencing: the only advantage for the moment

What can we do with Transport Public Paris 2024 that we cannot do with Google Maps, Apple Maps or Citymapper?

The routes are relatively the same from one application to another, except that Transport Public is the only one to know the addresses of certain stadiums for the moment.The routes are relatively the same from one application to another, except that Transport Public is the only one to know the addresses of certain stadiums for the moment.
The routes are relatively the same from one application to another, except that Transport Public is the only one to know the addresses of certain stadiums for the moment. // Source: Numerama

That said, one can't help but wonder if a separate app just for these small functions is necessary.

Since the Transport Public Paris 2024 search engine is identical to that of other applications in the region, the Île-de-France Mobilités application also knows the addresses of the stadiums. Enough to make the installation of Transport Public Paris 2024 useless for a person who already resides in the region. Another problem, by the start of the Olympic Games, it seems obvious that Google, Apple and Citymapper will integrate stadium addresses into their applications. Will tourists really flock to the official application, while the web giants will do what is necessary to be there for the Olympics?

Transport Public Paris 2024 knows the locations for each sport. Other apps don't have this data yet.Transport Public Paris 2024 knows the locations for each sport. Other apps don't have this data yet.
Transport Public Paris 2024 knows the locations for each sport. Other apps don't have this data yet. // Source: Numerama

The objective of Transport Public Paris 2024 really seems to offer an all-in-one solution to tourists, with the reloading of a virtual Navigo pass as a key function. The suggestions for less busy lines will also be a plus, but everyone would have to use Transport Public Paris 2024 for them to be really effective (the app will not always recommend the fastest routes, to relieve traffic congestion).

Transport Public Paris 2024 should be an interesting alternative to Google Maps and Citymapper during the Olympics, but will it really be essential? It all depends on the other options for the Navigo pass on smartphone.

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