Etiquette Rules for the Transit Savvy
Posted by the SF Muni Ladies
With the cost of fuel at an all-time high, transit systems are experiencing record-breaking ridership. Good news for you transit execs, bad news for gas-guzzling drivers. As these new riders get out of their vehicles and into yours, it’s easy to spot behavior that would make our Mommas blush! Inspired by experiences on our local transit systems BART and Muni, we feel compelled to offer a few etiquette rules…with a modern spin. These sassy “rules of the road” apply to any major city ripe with transit infractions: from the subways of NYC, to the Tube of London, or to future riders of the Bangalore Namma Metro — readers are logging on and spreading the word — 50 states and 129 countries, to be exact.
You’d be surprised (or not) by the number of people that could use a gentle lesson on public decorum. With the advent of technology and the bold, anywhere, anytime world in which we live, we’d like to share a sampling of our simple yet actionable rules:
Top 10 Muni Manners
Muni Manner 1: Always let exiting passengers leave the train before you board.
Muni Manner 2: Anticipate your stop to calmly exit the train or make way for others to do so.
Muni Manner 3: If you are young or able-bodied, give up your seat to someone who isn’t.
Muni Manner 4: Keep cell phone use to a minimum when riding public transport.
Muni Manner 5: Don’t rely on others to pick up after you; always dispose of your waste.
Muni Manner 6: To prevent the spread of germs, cover your mouth when expelling air.
Muni Manner 7: Help save space and avoid jostling others by properly stowing your bags.
Muni Manner 8: Be mindful of the volume of your music, even when wearing headphones.
Muni Manner 9: To prevent fellow passengers from feeling uncomfortable, keep your stare in check.
Muni Manner 10: Stay awake on transit to limit unwanted body contact and avoid blocking fellow passengers.
Transit agencies should be in the know, too. Check out our growing list of rules at http://www.munimanners.com. Our challenge to you? You’re in the driver’s seat so share the word! It’s the safe and courteous thing to do.
SF Muni Ladies
Public Transit Riders Bloggers
sfmunilady01@gmail.com
sfmunilady02@gmail.com
August 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
No kidding on the cell phone abuse. It’s mind-boggling how annoying people on cell phones can be.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:56 am
These rules are neither firm nor specific enough for new riders (and some regulars) to understand. For example, Muni Manner 1 would be improved to say (with customizable text), “When a bus (or train) arrives while waiting at a stop (or station or on a platform), step to the side of the doors to let passengers off BEFORE you attempt to board. There will be more room for you if you let the vehicle empty first.” Washington’s Metro says “Step back!” but that doesn’t do the job because it just creates a wall of passengers on the platform still blocking exiting passengers. “Step to the side!” is better. Also, Metro makes these announcements to passenges on the trains, rather than passengers waiting on the platforms as trains approach–how dumb is that? Muni Manner 6 is silly; it’s vague and could be a non-sequitor if the air you are expelling is exiting a body orifice other than your mouth!
Furthermore, just get to the point in Manners 4 and 8: “Talk quietly on cell phones–their 21st century technology microphones can pick up a whisper, so stop yelling!” and “Lower your headset volume–you’re not outside!” I’d love to see a transit agency program that educates its riders effectively, with humor, but makes the point seriously, AND enforces standards of behavior. Transit is inferior to the private automobile, so we better make it at least tolerable.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
You folks in SF obviously don’t suffer from a common problem here in Ottawa: Neanderthals who place their feet up on seats, even in our five months of winter when their shoes/boots are coated in slush. At least First Scotrail in Scotland, UK, has transit security officers who wear minicams on their outer clothing to video the evidence when they make random lightning strikes. Would that we could….