eli5 – those who drive metro or trams, what do you do when you need to use a toilet?
In: Other
Most people in most jobs have to wait until a dedicated break time to use the toilet. The same is true for metro drivers.
There are restrooms for the drivers available along the routes. Usually, those are at turnaround stations, where the train will stop for at least 15 minutes anyway, but there are some along the way where the driver can make an extended stop if really needed.
In some cities, tram operators even have agreements with restaurants next to tram stops for those emergencies so the drivers don’t have to beg to use their facilities. Metros, on the other hand, tend to have restrooms at every station that can be used in emergencies; those are big buildings that already need to have facilities for cleaning and maintenance staff to get water and relieve themselves.
In addition, drivers don’t usually drive their maximum allowable driving time in one go. Just like an office worker, they will get a coffee break after e.g. 2 hours. Especially Metros have many break rooms along the route where they swap drivers. Remember that those operate every 1.5 to 20 minutes, so one driver takes a break and then swaps with the driver of the next train so that one can take a break, and so on.
The overall effect is that you get a scheduled chance to visit the restroom roughly every .75 to 2 hours—just like at school or uni.
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