Another step to the most modern public transport in the country
Ostrava’s public transport corporation (DPO) is stepping up its cleaning programme to ensure that passengers benefit from clean and tidy vehicles and public transport stops. The corporation is doubling its budget for cleaning; this will include ongoing cleaning of trams during standard operation (at terminus stops, not just at tram depots). Ostrava will also be the first Czech city to use a special new technology designed to remove chewing gum from pavements at public transport stops, and the corporation is also planning to modernize three of its five vehicle washing stations as well as testing a new fragrance dispenser for use in vehicle interiors.
The director of the public transport corporation Daniel Morys gave more details:
“We have a vision – to be the most modern public transport provider in the country. Many passengers associate that with new vehicles or smart technologies. But for us, it’s about much more than that – being modern also means being clean. In a clean tram, passengers can really appreciate the comfort of the seats, or facilities like wi-fi and air conditioning.” To help achieve this goal, the corporation is doubling its vehicle cleaning budget from the current 4.4 million CZK to 8.8 million.
In 2018 the corporation will be replacing three of its vehicle washing stations – at the Hranečník bus depot, the Moravská Ostrava tram depot, and the trolleybus depot. The new trolleybus washing unit will use a self-service system (unlike current units), and it will also be quicker and more effective compared to the current technologies. The annual budget for tram interior cleaning is being increased by 1 million CZK; this will enable employees to clean the trams during standard operation (at terminus stops, not just at tram depots) and to wash tram floors more frequently.
With the arrival the warmer weather, the corporation is also carrying out spring cleaning at its bus, tram and trolleybus stops, as Daniel Morys explained:
“We will be thoroughly cleaning the pavements at the tram stops, using a special technology that removes chewing gum as well as protecting the pavement and making subsequent cleaning more efficient. We have to wait until both day and night temperatures are above zero in order to use this method.”
The corporation is also testing special scent dispensers in 55 of its vehicles. Various scents will be used, with the aim of enhancing the passenger experience. The test will take place over several weeks, beginning in the second half of April.