Entries Tagged 'TriMetiquette' ↓

We’ve all seen it before, either on the bus or MAX: the ‘inbetweener’

Couple of thoughts ran through my mind when I saw this:

• Why does this person think they should be able to occupy two seats?
• If you’re riding public transportation, you really shouldn’t be afraid of accidentally touching other people

Unfortunately, the ‘inbetweener’ happens on a daily basis. What can be done to combat this practice? Unfortunately, not much…

Edit - several comments have been made pointing out that this instance of an inbetweener seater is actually warranted.  Perhaps this image was a bad example.  On this particular instance, the MAX was pretty packed with everyone crowding near the door.  I fortunately had made it through there and positioned myself in the middle of the train.

The point I’m trying to make is - in MANY circumstances, this is a little problem.  This instance, however, as you all have pointed out, was probably an OK time to go about taking up two seats due to the passengers sitting next to the individual.

Thanks to those commenting; love the added perspective.

I’ve already hit on how some people feel the need to put their feet on the seat on both the MAX & bus.  Well, this ‘riding etiquette rule’ now does not only apply to humans:

There are a couple of things wrong here:

1. Only guide dogs / service animals are allowed on the MAX or bus out of their kennel (the only exception being the Doggie Dash Day)
2. Your dog / cat / other pet needs to be kenneled when taking the TriMet MAX or bus
3. The dog’s feet shouldn’t be on the seat

I saw another person  get on the MAX last night with a non-service dog.  I mean, let’s read the rules people…

Josh Collins, Communications Manager for TriMet Operations, contacted me to clarify TriMet’s rules about using strollers on MAX light rail & buses. He says:

“TriMet does not require strollers to be folded on low-floor MAX trains. Three-quarters of our MAX trains have low floors (no steps at the doors), and all new vehicles that we will purchase will have low-floors. We require that strollers not block isles, and welcome parents with strollers to use the priority seating area as long as it is not occupied or needed by an elderly person or a person with a disability. As you indicated, we do require that the priority seating area be vacated when it is needed by an elderly person or a person with a disability.

On other vehicles (all buses and the older high-floor MAX trains, with steps at the doors) we ask that strollers be collapsed and stowed once they are onboard per the TriMet code.  This is because there is not enough room to have the stroller aboard without blocking an isle. Additionally, it is due to the safety concerns of a stroller possibly rolling down steps if there were an incident.”

Makes much more sense.  So, to paraphrase Josh:

• Strollers do not need to be folded or collapsed on low-floor MAX trains.  They do need to be out of the way so they do not block the flow of passenger traffic
• Stroller do need to be folded or collapsed when using the MAX trains with higher-level floors & all buses once you’re on

TriMet has a rule to fold up your baby stroller when boarding the MAX. Those who have boarded MAX with a baby stroller know that this request is a tough one. The crowding on the MAX, your stroller condition & amount of goods that you have with the stroller & other factors play to a decision that many make: to find room & park your baby stroller wherever there is space.

Another TriMet rule is - if you have your baby stroller and are by a priority seating area, you need to move for seniors and people with disabilities. Whether this happens or not, it limits the space to put a baby stroller on the MAX.

With these rules & restrictions, the overarching question here is: what do you do if you board a MAX train with a baby stroller?

Simply put, TriMet’s rule to have to fold your stroller is absurd. Think about it - you get on the train and within seconds it’s moving, making you unsteady. So now you’re supposed to unseat your child and fold up a stroller while the MAX quickly accelerates, which always seems to result in some folks losing their balance.

But it’s not like people follow this rule; I’ve never seen someone fold a stroller. And I’ve seen lots of strollers while riding.

I already wrote about Activistas already talking about this issue in the past. What do you think?

This morning on the MAX Blue Line I noticed that there was a guy listening to music several seats away from me. I knew this not because I saw him wearing headphones, but because I could hear his music.

Listen - listening to music while on public transportation is a good way to help kill the time. I sometimes listen to Abba, Paramore or English Premier League / Italian Serie A podcasts when on the bus or MAX. But listening to it at a level that others around you can plainly hear what you’re hearing is just downright disrespectful.

That’s the beauty of headphones - you’re able to listen to music and keep it at a level which only lets you listen to it.  It seems like some individuals need to have a lesson in not blasting their ears out (both the health issue related to it and the annoyance issue).

I recently started bike commuting my 7.2 miles to work. I found it takes a lot less time, a lot less hassle, and gives me a nice workout. Occasionally when my legs start screaming at me, I will stop off and take the max halfway home. Nothing feels better to see an open bike hanger as the train approaches. At the same time, nothing sucks more than when one is not available. I hate imposing on others by dragging my bike into the “other” areas and taking up so much space.

What do you think TriMet can do to accommodate more bicycles on the max? Should they? How do you feel about bikes mixing with standing passengers?

-brewcaster

TriMetiquette reader Ethan wrote me this:

“I always wonder what is the correct way to tell a bus that is coming to a multi-bus stop that you are waiting for a different bus:

1) head shake
2) hand wave
3) other?

Good question! Personally, when I’m waiting for a bus, if a bus I’m waiting to board is coming, I don’t do anything. However, if a bus is coming that I’m not waiting for… and if I’m the only person at the stop… I’ll wave them to go on by.

But with multiple people waiting there at the stop? I’d almost say just don’t do anything. I really do wonder if there’s been a scenario when someone has sorta waved a bus by but another person was wanting to board that bus at the stop.

TriMetiquette reader Kevin used the contact form to get ahold of me to let me know of something that bothers him:

“I wish people wouldn’t put their feet up on the seats on the Max and buses. It’s posted not to put your feet on the seats but people ignore the signs. Sort of like how people don’t pay any attention to the “no smoking” signs. The seats frequently get very dirty because people keep putting their feet up. It’s so rude.”

Here here!  Like we discussed earlier, putting your feet up on the seat not only is just plain rude… but it dirties up the seat.  Does it look like I want to sit in the dirt & mud from your shoes?

Got a comment from TriMetiquette reader Porter:

“Here’s my issue I’d like discussed: those who, on the platform, insist on standing as near as possible to the point where the door on the next train will be (the “Spot”). I didn’t notice this phenomena until well after starting my daily rides in on the Blue Line, as I’m usually reading or watching something on my ipod. However, one morning I was standing on an otherwise-empty platform, and a woman walks up and stands literally less than a foot away from me! I wandered away wondering what the heck was going on, but when the train pulled up I realized what it was: I was standing right where the door was! After that I notice it every morning: the best of them congregate in the general area, but there are some who, right when the train comes into sight, get as close to the Spot as possible regardless of who is standing around.

Am I out of line to be bugged about this? I don’t mind if you are one of the first ones there and stand in the Spot, but when someone new to the scene, for lack of a better term, “cuts” in front of someone who is standing only a couple feet away from the Spot, that burns me. My feelings are exasperated due to the fact that my station is generally the last one on the Blue Line where seats are available in the morning, so I constantly see the same people pull the maneuver and take the last seat while someone who was waiting 10 minutes is left to stand.”

Excellent observation Porter! And one I’ve personally also been a little bugged by as well. See, I follow this rule - if I get to a MAX station… I observe my surroundings a little to see who is there. I think if you’re there and have been waiting, you should have a sort of “unwritten rule” of being able to board before those arriving after you do. And I know - this isn’t the case, a lot of people don’t think this way. It’s just my line of thinking.

Thoughts? Opinions on this? Has anyone else noticed this?

What is the correct way of spelling out Portland’s public transportation system? Judging by their logo, it’s hard to really get a sense of how you should type it out:

However, if you investigate the TriMet site a bit further… and click on over to their linking to TriMet page, you’ll see that they clearly describe how their name should be written:

Please do not include a hyphen in the TriMet name or URL:
Correct: “Visit TriMet online at trimet.org”
Incorrect: “Visit Tri-Met online at tri-met.org”

I’ve seen it written with a hyphen… and I’m here to say that you shouldn’t be typing it that way (Lewis & Clark College, Oregon Live, Friends of Forest Park, Rev. Chuck Currie, Jack Bog & Ben DuPree). Remember: no hyphen!