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Fighting the Corona Crisis:

How the Public Transport Sector can React to COVID-19

In many countries, restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 crisis start to loosen up step by step. As shops re-open, under specific conditions of course, people start to become more mobile again. Many of them feel insecure and are not sure what rules they should follow when using public transportation. The mobility world must help to find effective solutions to restore passenger trust and to show reliability. The best way of doing so is by distributing information. We at Siemens Mobility, HaCon, Bytemark and eos.uptrade believe that detailed, precise and actual information is required to influence the passengers’ behavior and insure safety in these trying times.

In our action plan, we have put together three measures with one common goal: Help minimize the exposure of travelers by providing relevant and useful information. It contains the following options:

  • Updates / Tutorials
  • Adapted Routing
  • Occupancy Analytics

1. Updates / Tutorials

Traveling with public transport can be safe, as long as passengers follow certain rules. Easy to understand tutorials help them to do so. They enable traffic operators to keep their customers updated regarding the latest safety measures and guidelines. The information can be provided directly on the opening screen of theapp. Customer segmentation allows for information to be tailored to individual needs.

2. Adapted Routing

Adjusted routing is a good way to support Social Distancing. In order to keep traveler density in public transport low, new distribution rules must apply. Longer transfer times and routing that avoids highly frequented lines can help create space between the passengers and allows people who are at higher risk for severe illness to make safer choices. By establishing a C-19 icon and information texts, transport operators can refer their customers to these measures in the routing information. The “C-19 approved” routing can be based on:

  • Static rules (e.g. minimizing connections and increasing last mile distances for walking, biking etc.)
  • Systems for information management (e.g. the HAFAS Information Manager HIM)
  • Dynamic information such as analytics, real-time occupancy

Adjusted routing enables your passengers to make smart and safer decisions when travelling in public spaces.

3. Occupancy Analytics

Static holiday or Saturday timetables may not perfectly match the new passenger behavior in public transport. Our analytics show that the demand on lines and stations is not always decreasing proportionally when compared to the time before Corona. Analyzing real-time passenger requests from apps, provides insights into the actual demand. Using this data creates an opportunity that can help operators prevent overcrowding by running highly used lines with a higher frequency. The headway of underused lines can also be expanded. Implementing alert-rules into the system could help to guarantee a specific occupancy (e.g.< 40%). Analytics not only help to modify schedules in an appropriate way, they also enable passengers to see the expected occupancy of their chosen connection in advance, not only for complete lines, but also for single waggons. To ensure the displayed occupancy is accurate in all cases, it is also possible to include customer surveys. The passengers validate the given information and send their feedback within the app.

The transport industry is already doing a terrific job, offering mobility to the public in these difficult times. Let us work together to be prepared for actual and upcoming challenges. Stay safe, stay healthy!