Air fresheners have bene installed on D.C.'s Green Line, an attempt to improve riders' satisfaction with cleanliness. Despite some mixed reactions, perceptions of cleanliness are rising.
On transit, cleanliness is truly next to godliness (and might be just as hard to maintain). But does smelling good equal being clean? D.C. Metro is willing to bet riders will think so.
Martine Powers writes, "As part of an effort to improve customer satisfaction with cleanliness on the trains, workers have been installing industrial-grade air fresheners on 6000-series trains that traverse the Green Line." Riders can feast their noses on two scents: cucumber melon and mango.
Perceived cleanliness is on the rise, and it might have to do with the air fresheners. "According to customer surveys, the percentage of riders satisfied with the level of cleanliness on railcars increased from 53 percent last December to 61 percent at the end of March." But other riders have taken to Twitter to register their dissatisfaction with trains that smell "like a barn," or "look so good, smell so bad."
FULL STORY: Will air fresheners make Metro great again?
D.C. Metro Announces Service Improvements
The Red, Blue, and Silver lines will see faster headways as the agency reintroduces its 7000-series rail cars to the fleet.
Showdown Over Late Night Hours on D.C. Metro
The general manager of D.C. Metro wants to extend limited late night rail service, in place for two years, into 2019 and beyond. Metro board members have had enough.
Additional Funding, Service Increase Sought by D.C. Metro Officials
For the first time in years, there is talk of expanding service on existing rail lines in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)