This is how Mumbai Metro is planning to ensure social distancing in coaches

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all means of public transport have remained shut since March 2020 after a nationwide lockdown was announced. This also includes operations of Mumbai Metro. However, it has started drawing up protocols its passengers after the resumption of services. The focus of the protocols has been laid on social distancing.

Taking to Twitter to showcase its preparation, the Mumbai Metro released photographs of its trains on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro route on Thursday. The picture showed stickers had been put up on seats, with alternate ones left vacant. As per officials, the seating arrangements on its 16 rakes have been changed to ensure that commuters can maintain social distancing while travelling post-lockdown.

As per a Metro One official, they are planning on reducing the capacity of commuters in a rake at a single time. Earlier, 200 people could sit whereas 200 could travel while standing. However, the new arrangement will see a seating capacity of 100 people and only 75 will be allowed to stand in a coach.

“Currently, a Metro coach has a sitting capacity 200, while another 200 people can travel standing. The new arrangement will reduce the capacity to half. So, now 100 commuters can sit and 75 can stand in each coach,” a senior official of Metro One said.

A glimpse of our train with new alternate seating arrangements to ensure safe distance while travelling. We are safe & ready to welcome you post lockdown.
Your Metro, Safe Metro. #MumbaiMetroOne #HaveANiceDay #lockdownindia #safe #commute #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/gZ1guri6Mf

— Mumbai Metro (@MumMetro) May 21, 2020

Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), which runs the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro One, is also planning to stop the use of plastic tokens and introduce disposable paper tickets. Alongside, the promoting digital ticketing system is also one of the plans to ensure the safety of its passengers. The metro corporation will encourage commuters to book via mobile application or use smart cards, to reduce the number of people at ticket counters.

Also Read:

Mumbai Local Train Services Resume Only For Essential Railway Employees

Mumbai Police Has Taken Action Against 13,758 For Violating Lockdown