Lucknow Metro Starts Operations, Passengers Still Edgy About Boarding Though
LUCKNOW || The Lucknow Metro Rail services resumed on Monday morning after a gap of more than five months, an official informed. Two Metro Up and Down line trains were taken out from the Transport Nagar depot and they began chugging on the North-South corridor at 6 am.
The services started with state of the art facilities for the safest travel experience. Kumar Keshav, MD, UPMRC, had on Sunday conducted an inspection & took an overview of operational preparedness from Hazratganj to Munshipulia, a day before the resumption of services. A special interactive session was also conducted at CCS Aiport Metro station for media persons showcasing the safety measures adopted & other arrangements done by Lucknow Metro catering to the commuter safety, hygiene, health & protection.
Lucknow Metro has laid special emphasis on contactless travel, sanitization, social distancing, hygiene & cleanliness. Various rigorous steps have been undertaken to ensure a smooth, safe, secure and convenient commuting experience to the passengers.
Total Contactless travel with a GoSmart card: A GoSmart user enjoys a Total contactless trip right from entering the Metro station, boarding the train to exiting the premises. The automatic sensor of AFC gates detects the card from a distance without tapping it. So the only thing a GoSmart card user comes in contact with are the sanitized train seat.
First Metro in India to use UV technology for token sanitization ensuring full passenger safety.
First Metro with the cashless facility of multiple tokens/tickets with GoSmart card
Social distancing markings & signage at all stations to ensure an adequate gap among passengers while queuing up near Ticket Counters (TOMs), Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), security check frisking point, entry-exit AFC gates, etc.
Social distancing marking has been done on alternate seats to maintain a sufficient gap between passengers inside the train.
Frequently touched areas inside trains like grab rails, grab poles, grab handles, passenger seats & door surfaces from inside are sanitized regularly.
All common contact points like entry-exit gates, baggage scanners, Ticket Vending Machines, AFC gates, escalator handrails, staircase railings, lift buttons, platform seats, etc are also sanitized regularly. The government guidelines & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being complied with inside the Metro system.
According to guidelines of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), UP Metro has prepared SOP for train operations highlighting various important aspects related to commuter safety & security. As per SOP, Metro will operate with normal timings as earlier from 6 am to 10 pm & 16 trains will run with an interval of 5 mins 30 secs.
The trains will stop at every station & mask is mandatory. If anyone don't have it they can buy it from the health desk.
Arogya Setu is recommended but not mandatory for commuters to regularly check and update status. In case any person doesn’t carry a smartphone his/her name & mobile number will be noted in the register.
The temperature of every commuter will be recorded at entry. Commuters are advised to avoid carrying metal items in the train to facilitate contactless frisking. It’s mandatory to sanitize hands & sanitizer will be available at every gate.
Metro trains & station premises to be sanitized at regular intervals to ensure maximum safety to passengers.
Lucknow Metro to provide Total Contactless travel compared to auto, e-rickshaw, and bus by using a smart card with no need of cash exchange & stand in queues. The entry gate will open by bringing the card near to the sensor without touching it. Social distancing to be maintained by the following signage & alternate seating inside trains with regularly sanitized seats.
Tokens & smart cards both will be functional for commuting. For the first time in the country & in the metro sector, Lucknow Metro will sanitize tokens using UV rays to provide utmost safety to the commuters.