A clean train

Köln, october 2016.

It’s Friday afternoon, the train just arrived at the platform, and passengers get off the train. Some are familiar with the station and go directly to the exit, while others meet again some family members or friends. Despite such a crowd, I try to get closer to the door, so as to go into the car inscribed on my ticket. Even if I am ahead of schedule, I’d like to seat down comfortably and start to write my next post for the Scriptopolis blog. Every passengers has been get off the train. The next ones, as ready as me for the departure, start to stand in a queue. But it is not possible to go further: each door of the train is blocked by an employee from the railway company. What happens? An additional ticket checking? A technical problem? As I’m waiting for a potential audio announcement explaining the situation, the displayed signs on the train changes. In addition to the train numbers and the second class fare, the LED signage makes the situation explicit. Not only passengers will be authorized to get in the train from 14:15 onwards, a few minutes before the expected departure, but they will enjoy their journey in a freshly cleaned train. A mere inscription in due time, and two actions are simultaneously achieved: the cleaners are made visible, the fluidity of customer service is guaranteed.