Friday Funny: Masking the Smells of Public Transit

Stinky trains may become a thing of the past in Berlin, where officials are sniff-testing new fragrances to mask the odors of public transit.

1 minute read

September 5, 2008, 2:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

"The Berlin S-Bahn smells of many things, not all of them pleasant: wet umbrellas, body odor, unwashed dogs, kebab and currywurst, sometimes spilled beer or schnapps."

"But that may change. The Berlin Transportation Authority (BVG) has announced plans to lace the S-Bahn with its very own de-odoring odor."

"The initiative is loosely based on a similar project in the Paris Metro, which introduced a fragrance called "Madeleine" in 1999. Named after what was formerly the French capital's smelliest stop (and a delicious pastry), the perfume has notes of orange, lemon and lavender. Parisian stations are mopped with an estimated 1.5 tons of the stuff per year."

FULL STORY: Berlin Sniffs Out New Scent for S-Bahn

Friday, September 5, 2008 in Der Spiegel

Transportation Humor Europe Germany Berlin S-Bahn Subway Smells Fragrances View More

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