Metro de Madrid has been sending a very clear message to its users for some time now about something as everyday as backpacks inside the carriage: it is always better to place them on the floor than to hang them on your back or place them on the seat next to you. Through its social media and public awareness campaigns, the public company insists that hand luggage (backpacks, large bags, briefcases) should be placed between the feet or in front of the passenger, never occupying a seat or hitting other passengers at every turn. This is not a new prohibition, but rather a reminder of a rule that is already included in the Passenger Regulations: you can travel with hand luggage as long as it does not cause inconvenience or danger to others, and staff may intervene if the bag is bulky or causes problems.
As explained in these campaigns, a backpack hanging down takes up more space than we think, blocks aisles, hinders access, and can cause accidental jostling, which is especially uncomfortable during rush hour. The aim is to improve daily coexistence, as with other common reminders: let people out before getting on, do not lean on the bars with your whole body, speak quietly, or use headphones to listen to music.
Another point that Metro focuses on is backpacks on seats. Taking advantage of the fact that many people leave their luggage next to them “to keep an eye on it,” the company reminds us that seats are for people and that every free seat can make a difference for an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or someone with reduced mobility.
Do you have to take your backpack off your back at all times?
Editorial credit: Metro de Madrid
In its messages, Metro explains that even when the train is half empty, it is a good idea to get into the habit of leaving your backpack on the floor, so as not to give the impression that the carriage is fuller than it is and to make it easier for anyone to sit down without having to ask someone to remove their bag. This idea is summed up in a phrase that is repeated in its civic campaigns: “backpack on the floor,” a small gesture that, according to the company, improves the journey for everyone else… and also reduces the possibility of conflicts on board.
Some passengers’ concern about theft is one of the most common arguments for keeping their backpacks close to their bodies, but Metro points out that there are surveillance cameras, station staff, and a regular police presence on the network. Placing your backpack between your feet or in front of you does not mean losing sight of it: on the contrary, it allows you to keep an eye on it at all times without invading other people’s space.