sidekick sonia

Ride the Rocket - The Better Way. ~ Toronto Transit Commission

Here goes my transit tirade...it was inevitable...

I’m a big supporter of public transit. I’m very happy that I get to sit on the subway or GO train, sleeping or reading on the way to work. I mean, who wants to idle on the DVP or 401 for an hour (at least) each sleepy morning and another hour after a hard day’s work? Or watch not only cyclists, but pedestrians pass by while trying to squeeze into the adjacent lane because of construction up ahead? Or deal with those insensitive drivers who fail to signal, blame it on you, then throw their empty coffee cups out their window towards your windshield?

Not me.

However, there ARE a few things that bother me about public transit...pet peeves, really, but I’m beginning to notice that these things are bothering me more and more.

So, if you’re ever thinking of taking public transit, or if you’re already a transit-goer, take note of the following, because I might just blow up with Rocket rage one of these days!

Top 5 Transit Transgressions

1. Not getting up for elderly, pregnant or disabled people - What happened to common courtesy???

2. Wearing backpacks – Take the backpack off and hold it in front of you or set it on top of your feet – this takes up much less room and greatly reduces the risk of knocking over the kid behind you and giving him a concussion when you turn around!

3. Leaving the newspaper on the seat or floor – Yes, I suppose I can give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're leaving copies of the Metro around so that passengers succeeding you can read the paper too...but I’m really not that optimistic. People are just lazy. Put the papers into the recycling bins! Chinatown is dirty? Look at the subway!

4. Standing in front of the exit door when there is no need – If the train/bus/streetcar isn’t crowded and you’re not getting off at the next stop, MOVE. You’re in the way of both incoming and outgoing passengers.

5. Not wearing deodorant – Enough said.

posted by Sonia @ 4:58 p.m.