Page 9 - Metra Fact Book 2021

COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SCHEDULING COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SCHEDULING

OUR COVID TO ASSURE RIDERS THEY CAN COMMUTE OUR POST OUR ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE GUIDED
BY THESE PRINCIPLES…
WITH CONFIDENCE WE ARE…
RESPONSE 01 Deep cleaning our more than 1,000 cars with PANDEMIC Provide consistent and frequent service throughout the day

high pressure power washers, steamers and • Create regular headways throughout the service day
other disinfectants.
Metra responded quickly and comprehensively SCHEDULING • Some peak trains may move to off-peak times to account
to the pandemic, following federal, state and 02 Practicing a new regimen of cleaning, sanitizing, for new riding patterns
disinfecting and inspecting all cars at least once a day,
local health guidelines to adopt stringent new with an extra emphasis on disinfecting high-touch areas. As ridership recovers from the pandemic and Establish easily understandable schedules with
cleaning procedures and to encourage safe grows, Metra is committed to adding cars memorable service patterns
Cleaning stations multiple times a week, with emphasis • Create a few different types of train patterns on each line
03
behavior among customers and workers. on disinfecting high-touch surfaces. to trains and trains to schedules to provide
Include new express service when possible
plenty of room for physical distancing. Metra
Safeguarding the air in our railcars with hospital-grade • Create consistent zone-like service where possible
04
MERV-13 air filters and now installing an even better also recognizes that schedules may need to Consider transfers both within Metra and other
three-stage air filtration and purification system. In look different to meet the changing needs of transit services
addition, air is replaced on railcars every 4 minutes.
Even with over 05 Requiring masks for the entirety of the ride on our trains. riders and the business community. • Schedules should allow for transfer between Metra
lines and other first- and last-mile services
(CTA/Pace/private shuttles)
6 MILLION 06 Asking everyone to practice physical distancing. Explore reverse-commute and new ridership markets

Providing riders with a ridership dashboard at • Could be more important post-COVID if reverse-commute
07
RIDES, metrarail.com/dashboard that shows how many and suburb-to-suburb markets grow
riders are on trains.
Promote regional equity
not a single COVID Waiting in stations longer, so customers can stay seated
08 • Schedules will consider low-income and minority areas
until their stop and still have time to get off.
infection has been • Our goal will always be to provide affordable, reliable,
Offering new touchless hand sanitizer dispensers safe and frequent service throughout our service area
traced to our service. 09 in every car.

Encouraging riders to use the Ventra app to minimize
10
interactions with crews.

8 METRA FACT BOOK 2021 METRA FACT BOOK 2021 9