Public Transit Etiquette
I ride Tri-Met’s public transit all the time and tonight a classmate and I got to discussing the insanity that we’ve seen on either the streetcar, the MAX or even the busses. We both used to frequently ride the #8 bus up to Oregon Health & Science Unversity which lead to some good stories (and then the quote; “I feel bad, we just laughed about crazy veterans.”), but other Portlanders who have ridden that bus absolutely understand, I am sure.
We were briefly mentioning things that people on public transit should be aware of … etiquette-wise and I thought I would share some of our random observations from the evening.
1. Let people off the vehicle before you get on. The driver is not going to close the door as soon as everyone disembarks … he or she has to wait for you to get on, I am pretty sure they are trained this way.
2. There is no need to stand RIGHT in front of any of the doors the entire time you are going. There was a man on the streetcar tonight standing right in front of the front door and every time someone needed to get on or off of the streetcar, he heaved a huge sigh, stepped either off the streetcar or back into the aisle and then clomped back to his spot. He did this for EIGHT stops. I was amused watching him, but people getting on and off the streetcar were not too pleased.
3. Let the old lady have your seat! I was on the inside of the seats tonight and a young man was sitting next to me. An elderly lady boarded at 10th and Glisan and needed a seat. The guy did not move. When I went to move, he stared at me like I was the annoying one. The lady was grateful that I gave her my seat, but I think the guy next to me was really pissed off that he had to stand up for a whole 15 seconds!
Then there are the:
endless-talkers: they talk to you from the time they get on until one of you leaves … this morning it was a woman telling my seat-mate all about LOST and how great it was. I agree, but I do not feel the need to tell everyone!
seat-changers: they get up and move as soon as a seat is empty … even if it’s the entire vehicle away. I am pretty sure you had a seat. Stay there.
cell-phone talkers: I really do not care about your drunk weekend and your lost panties. I’m pretty sure the pervert staring at you right now does though!
my bag needs a seat-people: move your bag … it doesn’t need it’s own seat!
Who else do you see on Tri-Met?
About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, Tri-met, bus, riding the bus, streetcar, MAX, public transit ettiquette
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