Deconfinement: masks but not the crowd in transport yet

There was the ticket. There will now be a new obsession for travelers: the mask. Since Monday, May 11, it is mandatory in public transport. At Dijon station, screening is organized by rail safety. “Do you want to access the station?” Thank you for wearing a mask, please keep it at the station and on the trains ” calls an agent back at the entrance.

“We are going to practice wearing the homemade mask” announces a passenger taking a train to the Gare de Lyon. “I’m not necessarily very worried on the train. I’m more worried about Paris on the metro. “

Hydraulic freezing and road signs have invaded the station hall. Not always easy to navigate. “You have to get used to it, you have no choice” reacts a passenger who came to the station by scooter, not necessarily very reassured at the idea of ​​taking public transport. “Is it going to be respected?” We’ll see. It shakes up a lot of habits but we will have to get used to all of that. “

This Monday morning, around 40% of TER traffic is handled in Bourgogne Franche-Comté according to the SNCF. But in the stations, the crowds are far from having returned to usual levels. At Laroche-Migennes, only one train for Paris was maintained this morning. But there were only a few dozen on the quays waiting for him.

In the Dijon tram, distribution of masks

In town, in trams and buses, masks are also compulsory. If you forget, the fine will be 135 euros. But for now, it’s time for prevention. At least until Wednesday. In Dijon, agents distribute masks to passengers who do not have them.

“This is an operation that should last for the week”, explains Thomas Fontaine, director of Keolis Dijon Mobilités, the company that manages the tram network in the city. ” It’s going very well. Users understand very well the measures that are put in place. On the distance as on the wearing of the mask, the instructions are very well respected. ”

Did the weather deter the Dijonnais for their first post-containment outing? This morning, there were very few people on the trams. “I thought there would be more people” , notes a passenger who returns to work this Monday. “Everyone protects themselves well. We must continue to be careful. Of course, if we are all in touch, it will start again! ”

In Dijon, 70% of tram traffic was handled as of this Monday morning. Given the crowds. No problem respecting the recommended distance between each passenger. At least for now. “It’s relatively calm, but we know it will come back as we go” confirms Thomas Fontaine.

Elsa Bezin and Dalila Iberrakene’s report in Dijon: