The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) launched its “Keep Metro Clean and Safe,” a campaign promoting a shared responsibility between employees and riders to protect each other against COVID-19 and improve the customer experience, according to the agency’s press release.

The “Keep Metro Clean and Safe” campaign focuses on three Metro rules:

1. Masks – As part of this campaign, Metro staff will freely distribute masks to those who do not have them at key transit stations throughout the system over the coming months. Metro has also opened several free vaccination sites at transit stations.

2. Smoking –Metro is a no-smoking zone. The agency will ask customers to extinguish their cigarette or smoking device to help ensure the health of fellow riders.

3. Littering – Metro is a no-littering zone. Customers should throw all trash, including used face masks, into designated trash receptacles.

Metro said it will increase compliance with rules requiring masks to be worn and banning smoking and littering on the system.

“Metro has heard our riders call for a cleaner, safer system loud and clear,” said Hilda L. Solis, Metro board chair and chair of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Hilda. “This new campaign is quite measured and appeals to the better angels of our nature: We must all treat our fellow riders and our transit system like we would our own home, personal property or friend. We must all do our part to make our transit system cleaner, safer and more enjoyable for everyone who depends on it.”  

Metro said employees will provide reminders to customers to encourage their voluntary compliance.

“One of my top priorities is to make Metro the first choice for transportation in the region, because our customers have an experience that is second to none. This depends on how well we listen and respond to our riders in improving our service,” said Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO. “We recognize and embrace our responsibility to provide a cleaner, safer and respectful environment. At the same time, improving the overall experience in a real way is everyone’s responsibility. We want our customers to feel a sense of pride and ownership of the system.”

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