Transilien travelers forget more items on the train since the health crisis

2.9 million.

This is the number of travelers impacted in 2020, only on line C of the RER by forgotten bags and objects in trains and at stations.

A real scourge for Transilien SNCF and Ile-de-France Mobilités.

Each oversight represents 1 hour 45 minutes on average, with disruptions extending over 3 hours.

Far from subsiding, the phenomenon has literally flared up in 2020 on line C. If in 2019 there are 2,750 trains affected and nearly 605 hours lost due to forgotten luggage, the month of September 2020 alone totals 2,792 trains disrupted and 656 hours lost.

Indeed, in the case of a forgotten baggage, between the time necessary to arrive on the scene and the time to follow the security procedures, it takes between 15 min and 3 hours.

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The hypotheses put forward to explain this trend which appeared on leaving confinement in May 2020 are linked to Covid-19.

On the one hand, wearing a mask would cause a reduction in the visual field, on the other hand the risk of contagion in public transport occupies an important part of the attention of users.

This is more focused on maintaining safety distances and other barrier gestures than on their personal effects.

This results in a much greater likelihood of forgetting items and luggage.

Which can be expensive for the owner.

Forgetting a piece of luggage or a package in a station or a train is punishable by a fine of 150 €, or 200 € in deferred payment.

Faced with this situation, Transilien SNCF and Ile-de-France Mobilités have decided to launch an awareness campaign on the entire C line. This has been reflected since last week in posters and stickers on the walls and on the ground, as well as announcements at stations and on trains.

The RER line C concentrates the most forgetting.

Transilien SNCF explains this by the greater number of tourists who use it.

The latter, who represent around 15% of travelers, have more luggage and are therefore more likely to forget.

However, all lines being affected, Transilien SNCF has already planned to extend the campaign to the entire network for which it manages.