How would you inspire better manners on the bus and train?: HWR, Oct. 10

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Transit etiquette tips, as seen in Spain.

You may have seen Metro’s three new transit etiquette videos that pit Super Kind against Rude Dude. There was a fair amount of commentary on social media today about the videos. I put some of the reaction below that I think summed up the range of views.

My question for you, riders and readers: how do you think Metro should best police the system when it comes to etiquette and following the Code of Conduct? Or do you think it’s largely up to riders to show common courtesy? And how did you like the videos? Comment please.

https://storify.com/stevehymon/reaction-to-metro-manners-videos#publicize

In the new video about blocking aisles, Super Kind zaps a bike blocking access to the doors. A few viewers left comments to the effect that Metro could do a better job marking the rail cars that have space for bikes.

There are actually yellow decals on the train cars that have bike space — albeit not huge decals and perhaps not helpful to those standing on the wrong part of a platform when a long train rolls up and there’s a lot of people trying to enter/exit.

One other good rule of thumb for those taking bikes on trains, especially at peak hours: try to avoid the beginning and end of trains and instead focus on doors that get you to the space between cars, where there is usually the most room for bikes.

Any other tips or ideas, cyclists/rail riders?

Dept. of Dodger Stadium Express: The Dodgers will play the Cubs or Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and Sunday for the privilege of advancing to the World Series. Ballpark and DTLA traffic should be, as we like to say in Ohio, one big milk tub of misery, so try the freebie bus from Union Station and Harbor Gateway to the ballpark. More here.

Major League Baseball hasn’t gotten around yet to announcing game times but playoff games here are usually late afternoon or early evening. Just to add to the fun, the Kings have home games at Staples Center on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Staples is a short stroll from Pico Station, shared by the Blue Line and Expo Line, btw. More here.

Photographing transit construction: On Oct. 18 at 12:15 p.m., the photographer Ken Karagozian will be holding a lecture at the Central Library in DTLA. Ken will be talking about the photos that he has been taking of transit construction over the years — most recently that includes the Regional Connector. More info here.

Dept. of Congress and Infrastructure: For those keeping score at home, the House of Representatives last week approved a non-binding budget resolution by a vote of 219 to 206. The part that should potentially send chills up your budgetary spine: the resolution asks — as expected — for the phasing out of the federal New Starts program that can pay up to half the cost of big, pricey transit projects.

Art of Transit 

Decking work at the future Wilshire/La Cienega Station for the Purple Line Extension’s first section.

Can LeBron James make us less afraid of self-driving cars? (Verge)

I’m skeptical that we’re on the verge of entering the Age of Robot Cars, but I think this is a very good ad and perhaps I’m a tad less skeptical than previous.

America’s Car Ownership Rate Higher Now Than Before the Recession (Streetsblog USA)

Perhaps one reason transit ridership has taken a dip in recent years. Metro ridership data is here, btw.

9 Months Into Presidency, Trump Still Hasn’t Offered Infrastructure Plan (NPR)

The segment focuses on a major rail choke point in Chicago and the ongoing lack of funds to fix it. As for infrastructure, President Trump has said public private partnerships do not work (Metro is pursuing them to accelerate projects) and those interviewed by NPR say there aren’t really any other new ideas about funding road, rail and other projects.

Categories: Transportation Headlines

7 replies ›

  1. Love the Metro Etiquette videos! The production value really makes them stand out. I think it is a good way to get people interested in, or at least thinking about, transit etiquette.

    Just remember, change starts with you. I try my best to be kind and courteous both on and off the Metro to make LA a better place and to make transit a little more enjoyable.

  2. I commute daily on the blue line during rush hour with my bike, and there is MUCH room for improvement.

    Point 1: First off, I agree with Joe. The best place to be on the older trains is at the ends. There is plenty of space, and even if there are people standing there, its far easier to move out of the way for people getting on an off than in other areas. Also, unlike the “designated bike spaces” you always know where they are going to be on the platform. An open bike space a car away does you no good on a crowded platform.

    To Steve’s point, the area between trains might be fine to stay out of the way, but is inaccessible during any peak period.

    Point 2: Speaking of the bike spaces, there really ought to be one at every door, especially the new cars that don’t have the extra open space at the ends. That’s only 3 bike spaces per train. These spaces fit 2 bikes MAX, assuming there aren’t any people standing there already, which hardly is ever the case during peak hours. Hence point 1.
    Sure that would mean fewer seats, but people can easily stand in empty space, bikes can’t sit in empty seats. This would increase capacity, and make biking a more feasible option for 1st/last mile connections.

    Point 3: Even if you miraculously get an empty bike space to your self, you still have a tough time maneuvering in and out of the train at your stops because of those stupid partition walls blocking off the aisle. Can these PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be removed? And the poles too, if possible. Without those walls in the way, it would be far easier to get on the train and out of the aisle. Currently if you get on and there’s people standing, you’re going to be blocking the aisle. No way around it.

  3. Cyclist tip (that I almost hate to share): go all the way to the left on the platform – get on the first door at the front of the train. Park your bike in the vacant area behind the driver. 90% of the time this works well, and the area is wide open.

    • I think that’s harder to do on the new trains — where there is a pair of two seats on either side of the door to the cab. Probably easier on the older trains, which are certainly in abundant supply. When I do take bike on the train — which is not often — I prefer the area between cars and away from doors.

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source