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It's been about a month since the loyal LAist readers sounded off on the meaning of "Metroquette" and its various rules and recommendations. We heard opinions from those transplanted from more mass transit friendly cities, and also from long time Metro riders here in Los Angeles. With the unstoppable surge in fuel prices and summer here, we have seen a substantial increase in hand rail holders just over this last month. With plans to extend the Gold Line into East LA, and also westward to take us all the way to the beach, it's important that everyone has a clue when they decide to ride.
There were several comments made about bike riders on both the bus and rail systems. Zach Behrens gave us a peek at what the possibilities are with his gallery showcasing Portland's handling of the bicycle dilemma. Some of our readers felt very passionate about defending their right to ride, then ride, but others complained about the bikers disobeying the general rules on the train and in the station. So, let's add on starting with this touchy subject.
1. Bicycles
The official rules seem to be straight forward, even though you may think some of it is bureaucratic stuff and nonsense. The number one rule is to remember that you have a freaking bike with you in a small space. Just do your best to avoid knocking into some shins, because that sucks. Luckily, Councilman Eric Garcetti is proposing some changes to Metro bicycle rules.
2. Off before On!
This is a big one. When those doors open up, you've got some time before the train or bus departs. There is absolutely no need to charge in like it's the Mervyn's sale. The people getting off, especially at Union Station or the 7th and Metro stop on the Red, Purple, or Blue Line, are often trying to catch a connecting train. Step aside, por favor, and try to be a Curtis E. Bear for a few seconds a day.
3. The Escalator Debate
There are the claims that escalators should be treated like highway traffic, slower or stalled folks to the right. This really shouldn't be a rule, but rather a suggestion. It is annoying when trying to pass to get to the next train but Fred and Barney are having a detailed, side by side conversation about exciting Clippers basketball. However, it can also be unsafe. My advice, run the stairs. They're wider and faster in most cases. My legs are solid from doing that twice a day, five days a week. You may feel safer knowing you can Jackie Chan anybody that tries to grab your bedazzled iPhone.
4. Hold the door, Jackass! No wait, don't.
After a long day at work, with my only thought of getting home to my family, they kept coming. And coming. And rolling on in as we were about to leave. I've changed my position. If you made it, hooray! Feel free to celebrate in the aisle and shout "Screw you, Metro! I beat you! Ha!" Otherwise, I think it's in everyone's best interest if you wait for the next train. One person late is better than dozens.
5. Your bag is not a butt
This is ridiculous that it even needs to be addressed. Placing your purse, backpack, messenger bag, or VONS plastic bag on the seat next to you to discourage other passengers from sitting next to you is wrong and dumb. You just look like a jerk. And there's no call for the attitude when someone asks you to move your precious tote so they can sit down. They're not asking you out. One particularly crowded morning I witnessed a man in business attire, his large sports bag on his side in the seat next to him, and a Bible open on his lap. Golden rule, buddy. Let's try to keep the Rapture in mind, if that helps.
It seems that common courtesy is what is lacking, not just on the Metro systems, but in the city itself. We cannot continue to shut ourselves out of a world that refuses to comply, so let's get a little closer on the train and the bus, both physically and as a community.
Of course there are many more rules to consider, but we must ease into this relationship with public transit. If we try to move quickly without everyone in the same lane, if you will, then we're back stuck on the 405 with no air and a window stuck up.
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Going to have to disagree with you on the escalator one. Move it to the right, slowpokes.
I took the stairs instead of dealing with the inconsistency of people moving/not-moving to the right.
About 3 months later, I noticed that my pants fit much snugger and no longer needed a belt for some others. Guess traversing at least 3 flights of stairs up and down every day, 2x a day, did wonders for my gluteus maximus.
Now I work too far from the Red Line, and waiting for my Rapid bus doesn't give me the opportunity for a free workout. ;)
A stair workout is great. Metro or the newest Wednesday Workout post!
http://laist.com/2008/07/02/workout_wednesday_beachwood_canyon.php
stop.sitting.on.the.stairs
Here is another one. I saw a very, very large passenger on the Orange Line who took up his seat as well as about half of the one next to him due to his girth. The bus was standing room only. Maybe he should stand instead of taking up two seats.
Bikes. No room during rush hour. No bikes allowed.
Off before on. Should be common sense. But then again many people don't have common sense or common courtesy.
Escalator. If you stand (what, your legs don't work all of a sudden?) then stand to one side.
Don't sit on the fricken stairs. Especially at NoHo during the evening rush. Jackasses.
My bus to work is getting crowded. I do hate people that use their bag posing as another passenger. So far no one had yet to stand on our small commuter bus (Max Bus).
One thing I hate happened one time I sat next to this guy who was literally hogging the leg space by opening up his leg like an amateur porn star. The next bus stop I immediately moved to a different seat.
Sorry, it's stand to the right in my view. No kudos to the idiot that stands on the left after seeing others continue up the left-hand side before them, that's just moronic.
If someone has a bag next to them on the seat I make a point of having them move their bag so I can sit, even if there are other single seats elsewhere. If they have a problem with it I ask them, "Did you pay for two tickets?". The answer is "no" and I say, "Then I'm sitting there." One ticket, one seat.
Bikes are allowed on the forward car. If the car is too full for a bike to co-exist, which is almost never, then I'm for the bike rider waiting for the next train.
Hey sometimes I just like to take off my backpack so my body can dry up from the sweaty straps on my back and/or chest. What's up with people not knowing how to fold up the chairs before a handicapped person comes in? I've seen some of them like oh well it's the driver's job to do so, so let him/her do it. Also, I like to sleep sometimes on the bus which I always sit on the inside seats because it's better suited for my head, but I don't mind when I have to get up or move so someone can sit next to me; some people just need to have the guts to wake me up.
o btw 4 me I use the 90/91, 290, 233, 761, 2, and the red line and/or rapid 7/920. there should be a social networking site for metro riders basically is what I'm trying to get outta here, wonder if there's one out there already...