Metra, Metrolink launch digital tools to support social distancing

Rail News Home Security 7/8/2020 Rail News: Security
Metra's ridership dashboard indicates the average number of riders per train car over a five‐day period.Photo – Metra Facebook

Metra in Chicago yesterday unveiled a dashboard reporting ridership trends so riders can better plan trips based on social distancing.

Released as a test starting with weekday trains only, the dashboard indicates the average number of riders per train car over a five‐day period. 

The dashboard provides a view of the current schedule for each line, with each train highlighted in four different colors to indicate how crowded it was the prior week, Metra officials said in a press release.

Meanwhile, in Southern California, Metrolink has launched an online tool to enable passenger-rail riders to view average train ridership before boarding a train.

The “How Full Is My Train?” tool helps riders plan their rides and confirm they'll be able to maintain safe distances on trains.