The Point: “How Full Is My Train” Gives Riders More Comfort for Safe Return to Public Transportation
Metrolink has created an online tool, “How Full is My Train?” to allow riders to check recent ridership levels of a train they plan to ride and confirm they can maintain safe distances from others.
Metrolink’s goal is to keep ridership at or below 30 percent of the available seats per rail car to allow for up to six feet of distance between riders. Ridership is closely monitored on all trains so that when a train has consistently reached 30 percent ridership, Metrolink can add a passenger car or additional train service, as possible, to allow for social distancing.
“How Full is My Train?” users can view average train ridership before boarding. If their travel plans are flexible, they may choose to take a train that usually has fewer people on it. In many cases, riders will be able to simply move to other cars if one car appears crowded.
“We know that safety is top of mind with our customers,” said Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey. “Safety is foundational at Metrolink – and a shared responsibility. Riders are required to wear face coverings while on our platforms and on board our trains. This tool empowers the rider to practice social distancing.”
Metrolink’s recent Customer Survey found that social distancing and cleanliness are among the top concerns of riders. The survey also showed that popular amenities like electrical outlets and Wi-Fi are now taking backseat to riders’ desire for hand sanitizers on every rail car.
Safety First at Metrolink
Since March, Metrolink has significantly enhanced cleaning and other safety protocols to keep riders safe. These include:
- Enhancing cleaning protocols, including wiping down regularly touched surfaces such as doors, restrooms, headrests, armrests, handrails, tables and trash areas with disinfecting products, as well as daily use of electrostatic sprayers that mist hospital-grade disinfectant on all areas of train cars – especially helpful for hidden and hard-to-reach locations.
- Introducing a new Clean Care Crew dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting trains throughout the day.
- Installing hand sanitizer stations on each train car, and ensuring they are filled more often.
- Requiring face masks and coverings for anyone aboard Metrolink trains and on Metrolink platforms and providing conductors with a limited supply of face masks for riders who have forgotten their face covering.
- Continuing to reiterate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other health authorities on ways to keep themselves and others safe through personal hygiene and social distancing.