The Transit Rant Thread

[oracle]

fuk. there should be a Transit Rant Thread. I am so sick and tired of people not being accomidating to others. So often I see elderly people get on the Canadaline that have a cane or walker, and theres either some fat fucker or young girls sitting in the seats for the disabled . They almost always look away like they dont notice that they are standing right there. I almost always tell them to move and let the elderly sit down, and I usually get a look of disgust from the person Im asking "telling" to move.

Also, people whom think that their bags deserve a space on the seat beside them.


Last one is when people are lining up to either get on the train or bus, and there is a long line and they decide to walk right up to the front like they dont know that they need to line up. If its an elderly person/disabled or a mother with young kids, then thats cool. But somne 20 something chick or dude that just doesnt feel like waiting for whatever reason just pisses me off.

I found that most people will applaud the situation or agree with me, but will just stand there and not stand up for our elders until someone else does.

/rant

[theurgy]

^^ And thank you...

I always give up my seat to the elderly, disabled and pregnant.
Happened the other day, a whole bus of people just sitting there while a very pregnant lady walks from the front all the way to the back without a single person getting up.
I couldn't believe it. As soon as she got near me, and I was at the very back of the bus, I immediately got up and had her sit down.
She gave me a very appreciative look and a thank you, this then turned into a discussion about seat priority. Just loud enough so everyone in earshot can feel like shit about it.

[Alpinewhite6]

wow people are actually like that? that's brutal!

I have never taken public transit but this will most likely keep me away longer. Maybe ill take it when im old and have a cane which i will use to poke people out of my seat.

[oracle]

wow people are actually like that? that's brutal!

I have never taken public transit but this will most likely keep me away longer. Maybe ill take it when im old and have a cane which i will use to poke people out of my seat.

I dont want to paint transit in a totally bad light. for the most part I see the same people, business professionals and students that are friendly and curteous and the bus drivers are really nice for all the shit they have to put up with. But there just seems to be a disregard or maybe even a lack of education from these peoples parents. And I cant even say its cultural, because it seems to be all races. Its almost sad that you can stand out so much just for being polite and curteous, when it should just be a standard way of living.

[DKaz]

I dont want to paint transit in a totally bad light. for the most part I see the same people, business professionals and students that are friendly and curteous and the bus drivers are really nice for all the shit they have to put up with. But there just seems to be a disregard or maybe even a lack of education from these peoples parents. And I cant even say its cultural, because it seems to be all races. Its almost sad that you can stand out so much just for being polite and curteous, when it should just be a standard way of living.

Agreed. It seems I have a weekly rant about transit courtesy. Why are people so afraid to stand in the back of the bus to allow more people on?! Twice or three times a week I have to ask everyone to move back.

[oracle]

I dont want to paint transit in a totally bad light. for the most part I see the same people, business professionals and students that are friendly and curteous and the bus drivers are really nice for all the shit they have to put up with. But there just seems to be a disregard or maybe even a lack of education from these peoples parents. And I cant even say its cultural, because it seems to be all races. Its almost sad that you can stand out so much just for being polite and curteous, when it should just be a standard way of living.

Agreed. It seems I have a weekly rant about transit courtesy. Why are people so afraid to stand in the back of the bus to allow more people on?! Twice or three times a week I have to ask everyone to move back.

lol. too true. i usually stand in the front waiting for people to move back and sit in empty seats, and the bus i take is greyhound seating style, so its not like a typical city bus where the "back" of the bus is more "ghetto".

[DKaz]

Yea... it especially pissed me off one day when I was passed by a "full" bus with a empty back end... even had a couple of empty seats!!!

Oh yea you take the 351, nice buses, those high floor buses ride a lot smoother than the low floor buses but I would hate to have to stand for that long ride. I guess it's a lot better now with all those bus lanes going in. I remember sitting at the back door stairwell with the old 401-403-406-407 which didn't let anyone off the bus until south of Fraser.

And yea, I give up a seat to anyone who appears older than 50, pregnant women, families with young kids, or someone with a disability or some injury. Someone made a point that sometimes not all disabilities are apparent  so if someone asks for a seat I'll give them a benefit of the doubt and kindly oblige. Also, one pregnant lady took great offense once when I offered a seat... but isolated incident.

[oracle]

Yea... it especially pissed me off one day when I was passed by a "full" bus with a empty back end... even had a couple of empty seats!!!

Oh yea you take the 351, nice buses, those high floor buses ride a lot smoother than the low floor buses but I would hate to have to stand for that long ride. I guess it's a lot better now with all those bus lanes going in. I remember sitting at the back door stairwell with the old 401-403-406-407 which didn't let anyone off the bus until south of Fraser.

And yea, I give up a seat to anyone who appears older than 50, pregnant women, families with young kids, or someone with a disability or some injury. Someone made a point that sometimes not all disabilities are apparent  so if someone asks for a seat I'll give them a benefit of the doubt and kindly oblige. Also, one pregnant lady took great offense once when I offered a seat... but isolated incident.

yeah, ill take the 351-352-354, depending on what bus is there. I sit most of the day so i dont mind standing every once and a while. Though I think single people should group together better. Like when 2 small women are sitting by themselves and then 2 big guys have to cramp together, or the asshole who is like 5'2" and sits on the ailse seat with the empty window seat beside him, then when I (6'3") come to take a seat, he makes he cram into the window.

[M Speed]

I have to applaud to Japanese and Taiwanese for their public transit manner. They line up accordingly, never ran for a closing door, the seats for elder/disable are empty even it is packed awaiting for the needed.

And for Canada line, there should be luggage racks installs as they are going to the airport. On a daily basis, I see people take up seats for their belongings. Some will turn away or pretend to be busy with their cell phones to avoid giving up their empty seat next to them.....

as for seat selection, it is first come first serve....

and yes we should have a transit rant thread......

[theurgy]

I would say that a good reason for it is that when you're in the back, and you're about to get off in 3 stops, you have to wade through all the people to eventually get to the doors.
Too often I've seen people go through this to eventually get to the doors as they are closing and the bus is taking off. They end up yelling up front to the bus driver and it's frustrating as hell.

[theurgy]

Can someone move my post in the driving thread over to here please?

[Alpinewhite6]

It is totally how you're brought up though. If you are taught respect and manners at a young age, it feeds into your lifestyle. I notice, for whatever reason, kids are less dissaplined and less curtious these days. I know there was a shift happening when i was younger (21now) and it just seems to have gone quicker as time goes by.

Parents Step Up!

[Username]

^ I agree. I think values and how your parents taught you to behave play a huge role here.

My parents have always been considerate people and engrained it into to me to be respectful of the elderly, disabled and pregnant. And as they get older, I hope that respect is returned to them.

Unfortunately, as I age I am noticing less of our youth have those qualities engrained in them. It's a dog eat dog mentality and as a result a self-serving nature is prevalent in our society.

  Kev

[theurgy]

LOL Maybe I'm realizing I'm getting old no, however I agree. I find "the kids today" are some of the most self-entitled spoiled brats I have ever seen.
Evidence of that from last week, downtown.

[Elder_MMHS]

I have to applaud to Japanese and Taiwanese for their public transit manner. They line up accordingly, never ran for a closing door, the seats for elder/disable are empty even it is packed awaiting for the needed.

You don't have to go that far.  For instance, Toronto transit riders rarely "crashed" the subway doors when they were about to open or close.  Maybe this had to do with the fact that the door operation was not automated, but I was quite surprised by the lack of understanding when I first used and still occasionally take the Skytrain.  Also, almost everyone understood that backpacks were never for seats when there were lots of passengers and that they should be removed when you were standing.  Etc. etc.  For the few that did not understand those and other aspects of transit etiquette, they got more than glares - they were asked/told by fellow riders.

I think there is more than differences in generational upbringing.  There is also a local transit population that needs to be educated and a rider culture that needs to further develop and mature for it to be sustained.

[Cosmic Wonder]

So, I'm going to take a turn at this rant now lol.

As some of you may know, I'm one of these bus drivers in this city There are many, many, many things that drive me crazy but for now I'll just mention one inna minute. But first, thank you to those of you who do move for the elderly or disabled, or any others that could use seats more than you could. I always give up my seat on a bus, and not because I drive them but because I was raised properly and have respect for others. Also, on the Skytrain or Canada Line, I WILL NOT sit down. Ever. I find there are a lot of people who need seats for whatever reason and I am perfectly capable of standing. It does piss me off though when a wheelchair boards on the Canada Line and people won't give up their standing spot for the wheelchair even though they're in the wheelchair designated area. So thank you to those who are courteous on our local transit.

Ok, so one thing that drives me nuts as a driver...
Depending on traffic I may be running a littlr late. I see a person at a stop a block away. They see me, they move towards the road signalling that they want my bus. They stand there staring at me as I get closer, often still waiting and not moving, often staring intently at me while I get stopped at a red light prior to the stop. Then I proceed up to the stop, come to a complete stop, open the doors and they board. Only at this time do they start digging in their pocket/purse for bus fare. Seriously? You waited until now to do that when you've been standing there waiting for me to arrive? If they're new to transit, fine. I politely explain the fair, welcome you aboard, make friendly chat, etc. But you'd be amazed how often that person who stands there counting bus fare will then announce as they begin to walk towards the back of the bus, "You're late." Gee, I wonder why.  

[zoomerboomer]

^^^ the same as people at checkouts who don't get their money or card out until everything is rung through, then spend 5 minutes trying to find their wallet in their disorganized bag.  Geez, get ready to pay, you know you're going to have to do it.  I love it when people run to their vehicle in the rain then get soaked searching for their key or fob to get in.  At least there is some justice then.

[Cosmic Wonder]

Lol there isn't much justice in being a bus driver and having passengers taking their time to find change though. They frown on us running passengers over lol.

[derrick]

I rarely sit when I take transit. Like you said, I am perfectly capable of standing (even on my bum knee) so why sit? I already sit all day at work and just makes my ass bigger.

[oracle]

Lol there isn't much justice in being a bus driver and having passengers taking their time to find change though. They frown on us running passengers over lol.

i seriously have a much greater respect for bus drivers and transit workers now that i depend on it daily. u guys seriously put up with alot of complete morons and id prob lose my job pretty quick if i had to deal with those morons.

to you sir, i salute you.