Metro Tuesday announced a series of accessibility and customer-service enhancements designed to help riders navigate the transit system during the World Cup, including sensory rooms, navigation tools for visually impaired passengers and hydration stations.
Metro officials said the improvements are intended to make travel more comfortable for both visitors and local residents attending World Cup matches and related events across the region.
On match days and during the World Cup Fan Zone at Union Station June 25-28, Metro will offer temporary sensory rooms at Union Station, 7th Street/Metro Center Station and the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station. The spaces are intended to provide a quieter environment for people who may become overstimulated by crowds, noise or lighting, officials said.
According to Metro, the sensory rooms will feature seating, reduced lighting, noise-reducing headphones and other sensory tools.
Metro also announced an expansion of its accessibility partnership with Waymap, a navigation platform designed to assist blind and visually impaired riders. The technology currently is available at six rail stations and is expected to expand to six additional stations by June 26.
Unlike traditional navigation applications that rely on GPS, Waymap uses digital mapping and motion-sensing technology to provide step-by-step guidance through transit facilities, according to Metro.
To help riders cope with summer temperatures, Metro is also operating hydration stations at locations throughout the transit system. The stations provide drinking water, shade, misting fans, sunscreen and cooling towels, officials said.
The hydration stations are located at transit hubs and park-and-ride facilities including Union Station, the LAX/Metro Transit Center, Downtown Inglewood, Downtown Santa Monica, North Hollywood, Little Tokyo and other locations serving World Cup-related travel.
“Transit systems are built for people, and they should provide the resources everyone needs to travel safely, comfortably and confidently,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement. “From navigation tools and calming spaces to hydration stations and other customer amenities, we’re making Metro more accessible, inclusive and welcoming as part of our efforts to serve both Angelenos and visitors during the World Cup.”
Metro officials said the accessibility improvements are part of broader efforts to improve customer experience across the transit system.