Carte Orange
 

I have just purchased from e bay what was described as a monthly Carte Orange valid for the remaining couple of weeks of May. I am going for a long weekend so thought this would be handy. The seller said it was bought from a machine in the station and was not bought with a photo travel card. It is about 2.5" x 1" with MAI'05 Carte No... Zones 1-4. Can anyone confirm that this is valid on its own and can be used in any station within these zones or is this linked to a photo I.D. card (which I don't have).

Thanks

All Carte Orange coupons must be used in conjunction with a photo ID card, which can be obtained from ticket counters in metro stations. You just need a passport sized photo.

You then write the number of your photo ID card onto the Carte Orange coupon. This is intended to stop people transfering or sharing the cards.

So as long as the person who sold the Carte Orange didn't write anything on the card, you'll be able to use it in conjunction with a new photo card.
If they have written a number on it, then the Carte Orange *will* work in the turnstiles, but if your pass is checked by a controleur, you'll be fined.

Evidently the person who bought it (by mistake?!) didn't inscribe the CO number on it, because the <i>Carte No......</i> is still blank. So you can get a new photo card and write its number on the coupon.

You got yourself a bargain, bisley4.

Hi
The seller did not have/obtain a photo I.D. I assume this was a monthly 'coupon mensuel' - is a photo card still necessary with this kind of ticket? If so, I assume the previous user was lucky not to be stopped and asked for the photo I.D.

Yes, officially, both weekly and monthly Cartes Oranges are only valid if accompanied by the photo card, so you're right that the seller was lucky he wasn't checked.
Lots of people get misled when buying the Carte Orange - because the coupon can be purchased from ticket machines and works in the turnstiles, they assume it's valid on its own.

This thread raises an interesting question: will RATP issue a photo card without the purchase of a ticket?

If not, Daktari may be out of luck, because to get a photo ID s/he'll have to shell out for at least a 2-zone weekly card, which will cost the same as if the eBay transaction had never taken place.

Either that or use the coupon without an ID card. Hmmm...I wonder what the fine is for not having one.

The photo card doesn't usually cost anything - if Daktari explains that he/she has already bought the coupon but doesn't have a photo card yet, it shouldn't be a problem. And even if one ticket agent is reluctant, it's always possible to go to another metro station and try again...

The seller may have retained the orange id card to use again - only the ticket portion 'expires'.

Of course you can do this, but it is illegal and you are contributing to it. I don't think much of people doing such things. The card was for use by the owner, who apparently used it as much as he or she wanted. That's what it was sold for. It is not for that person to sell to someone else to use for another time period that they decided they don't need it.

No, it's not valid on its own and never was, you always need a photo ID card. The purchaser was just lucky they weren't ever checked, as someone said.

I don't concur with Christina's rigid stance. The purpose of assigning the ticket to an individual is so that more than one person can't use it <i>at the same time</i>. To me, it's the difference between sharing one copy of a book (which I believe all would condone) and making a Xerox copy for a second reader. Serial use: okay. Concurrent use: no-no.

I don't feel the spirit of the RATP regulation is violated if one person uses a Carte Orange for a while and passes it on to someone else. Daktari might even want to bequeath any remaining time on it to a concierge or chambermaid.

Or a Fodorite who might be able to use it.

Although I purchased this ticket not knowing it was 'illegal', and I believe the owner did not realise this either, I agree with Robespierre. The card is for use during the month of May - and although some may not agree, sometimes I think the law is an ass.