Paris Metro Prepares for Lockdown Easing With Police and Cleaners

(Bloomberg) -- The Paris public transport system will deploy as many as 2,000 police officers to enforce rules on social distancing and the wearing of masks when France starts to ease lockdown measures on May 11.

The operator of metros, buses and commuter trains in the French capital, known as the RATP, has also increased its cleaning budget by at least 70% and is testing methods like anti-viral sprays in buses, according to Chief Executive Officer Catherine Guillouard.

But the biggest unknown for the transit network, which is among the densest in Europe, is just how many commuters will come out next week when schools, work places and stores start to reopen, she told French senators on Wednesday.

“It breaks my heart to say this, but we're looking at ways to limit use during peak hours,” she said. In order to thin the crowds and prevent the spread of Covid-19, the RATP estimates it should operate at roughly 15% of passenger capacity.

The French government has said the threat of spreading the coronavirus in transport poses one of the most vexing problems in lifting the country's strict restrictions, imposed mid-March. In addition to the Paris subway, France's national rail service SNCF will also start increasing operations next week, while at the same time limiting passengers.

An Elabe poll published Wednesday showed 83% of respondents are worried about taking public transport because of virus fears. In response, executives at carmakers Renault SA and PSA Group have said car sales may rise if people shun transit systems, a trend that is emerging in China.

Meanwhile, Guillouard said the RATP is in talks with the government for the deployment of between 700 and 2,000 extra police to help limit the number of passengers, and is working on the distribution of masks -- free on the first days and also available in vending machines -- and hand sanitizer. It has also marked up station floors to indicate proper social distancing.

“We will mostly be counting on the police to help channel the number of people going into metros,” she said. While the RATP is starting up subways lines that were halted during the lockdown, some stations may remain closed.