Metro riders may begin noticing new floor decals on some trains this week reminding customers seated in priority seats to offer them to those who may need them.
Priority seating is intended for people with disabilities, those who use mobility devices, older adults, pregnant people, and others with not-always-visible disabilities. The seats are located next to the center doors of each railcar and are already marked with signs above them, though the signage can be difficult to see in crowded trains or when riders are seated.
The new decals on the train floors are designed to prompt riders to look up and proactively offer the seat to fellow passengers who may need it more. “Accessible transit is as much about infrastructure as it is about culture,” said Metro Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer. “In a world where many of us are distracted by our phones and plugged into noise-cancelling headphones, we sometimes forget about our surroundings. These decals are a simple but powerful reminder that we all share responsibility in making Metro welcoming and accessible to everyone.”
The pilot program will place decals in about 20 percent of the 7000-series railcar fleet for approximately three months. The decals are non-slip and follow best practices used by transit agencies around the world. Metro officials said feedback from riders, the agency’s Office of ADA Policy & Planning, and the Accessibility Advisory Committee will help determine whether the program expands after the pilot period.
Metro’s upcoming 8000-series railcars are also expected to include additional accessibility features, including a dedicated space for riders using wheelchairs.
