D.C. Metro Debuts Air-Freshened Trains

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.

1 minute read

May 31, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


D.C. Metro

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

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."

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business