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After the spring virus outbreak and the work and travel restrictions that were introduced across the country, the number of passengers in both public transport and long-distance train traffic plummeted. In some areas, the dropout rate was as high as 90%. The travel restrictions and reduction made it very difficult for both train companies and authorities to predict what congestion and travel patterns would look like, but the recommendation was to keep traffic regular as much as possible.
As part of the work to reduce the spread of infection and congestion, ticket controls on public transportation were temporarily abolished, with the result that cheating and the number of passengers without a valid ticket spiked like an avalanche.
To understand the consequences for public transport, we have arranged a meeting with Elin Kämpe, Head of the Transport business area at ISS, who, among other things, is in charge of the control of tickets for SL in Stockholm.
– Public transport in Sweden costs around SEK 1 billion a month to run and about half is financed through ticket sales. When we have a reduced number of passengers, ticket revenues also decrease, but, something we saw during the pandemic, is that in addition to the reduction of trips, the willingness to pay also decreased among those who actually used public transport. What then we run the risk in the longer term is that the model of tickets and financing must be changed, alternatively we must reduce the costs of public transport and, therefore, probably also the supply. Total public transport is expected to suffer a loss of around 7.5 billion this year alone, and if we want to enjoy the same standard we are used to, it is essential to secure financing, even if it is in different conditions and with other ticket models.
It is important to ensure income and create security
– Our uniformed employees who use public transportation help create safety for passengers, something that continued during the Corona pandemic, but with a greater focus on preventing and reporting congestion. We have now gradually started ticket checks in Stockholm again according to SL guidelines, continues Elin.
When asked why controls are needed at this time, Elin clarifies that SL estimates that cheating during the pandemic has increased from three to 15 percent, corresponding to revenue of approximately SEK 1.35 billion. In order for us to continue to travel safely and sustainably on public transport, it is necessary to guarantee income.
There is also a link between economic growth and well-developed public transport, especially in metropolitan regions. In a report by the University of California Institute for Transportation Studies, Stockholm was named the third best city in the world for its public transportation while all of Sweden was praised for its rail network.
– I am hopeful that we can continue on the path we have set for ourselves and further improve mobility to be able to cope with the continuously increasing population density in our metropolitan regions. So investments in public transportation and new research are essential, Elin emphasizes.
Safe environment on trains
The UITP, Union Internationale des Transports Publics, released a report in October showing that the risk of becoming infected in public transport is extremely small if the proper measures are taken. Some key factors when traveling are good ventilation, disinfection of touch surfaces, short travel time, minimal conversations and social distance. Many countries also have mouth guards as a requirement for public transport. Studies have been conducted in various countries around the world and the report shows that even if the risk cannot be completely eliminated, public transport is still the safest way to get around cities. This at the same time that metropolitan regions continue to function for those who need to travel.
The area where the ISS has perhaps made the biggest difference to public transportation under Corona is hygiene and cleanliness. Leif Persson is Product and Development Manager for Cleaning Services at ISS.
– We have always worked with great care and we know very well the importance of a hygienic environment for health. With the pandemic, travelers have also opened their eyes to the work we actually do and know that they can be sure that the trains, and contact areas in particular, are clean.
Leif notes that the authorities’ recommendations during the pandemic are something to carry with you even under more normal conditions.
– Therefore, I am convinced that this will ultimately lead to a change in the ways of traveling and living, with a continued focus on cleanliness. For us, as a service provider, this means that we regularly review which cleaning systems and products we use, as well as increasing the frequency of cleaning in some cases, says Leif.
Measurable purity with the environment in focus
ISS cleaning tools and processes are already extremely detailed today. Cleaning Excellence is an international concept within ISS that combines the best processes, methods, tools and products. Together with suppliers of cleaning products and cleaning machines, we also constantly develop the methods while reducing the environmental impact,
– An example is that shortly after the Corona outbreak, we began to perform disinfections to defeat viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms with environmentally friendly tools and ecological ozonated water. Ozone water is stronger than chlorine, but as gentle as ordinary tap water, so we can disinfect all kinds of surfaces and objects in a simple, safe and cost-effective way, completely without dangerous chemicals for the environment. says Leif.
Test results show that the presence of bacteria and viruses decreases by approximately 99% within 5 minutes of cleaning. In many offices, ISS has also started to measure the concentration of microorganisms and thus the level of hygiene on office surfaces. In this way, those who work in the offices can trust that hygiene and the risk of infection are always under control.
– Right now, we are looking at how we can make similar measurements on board vehicles so that passengers feel safer on the journey, says Leif.
– Our vehicle cleaning is designed to reduce the risk of infection and is performed by ISS certified employees. By measuring purity, we know if it is necessary to adjust frequencies or cleaning methods. It may sound overkill, but ultimately it’s about our service employees creating a safe environment for everyone who needs to stay there, Elin concludes.
FACTS ABOUT ISS
ISS is a leader in facilities management and workplace expertise. We create places and environments that contribute to better performance and a simpler, more efficient and more pleasant life, delivered with care and high quality by committed employees. ISS has more than 400,000 employees worldwide and a presence in more than 70 countries. In Sweden, ISS has approximately 6,000 employees across the country.
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