Guest blogger to new transit riders: Don't forget the hand sanitizer

Joseph Riser, a resident of Hermon -- a Los Angeles community he also represents on the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council -- offers this tasty guest blog. A regular train, subway and bus rider from Hermon to Westwood, he's been amused with all those new transit riders trying to escape high gas prices:

Hit it, Joe:

Were you born in a car?

Even before the rising statistics were posted on sites like The Times' "Bottleneck Blog" we knew you were finally here, among us, and we figured lots more were coming. The "new" riders, the printed-schedule clutchers, the car-lubbers who haven't quite figured out how their "buslegs" work while it's in motion.

Seats were getting harder to come by and sometimes we even had to share the metal pole we clutched with one of you.

And if that wasn't enough of a giveaway, the glassy-eyed, occasionally fearful looks as you climbed aboard told us many had never shared space with more than a couple of their fellow humans on the road, at least not without the benefit of a good half-inch of fiberglass on each side, and windshield's worth of separation.

And so to help out a bit and perhaps keep the Steve Hymons of the world from having to report a new epidemic of "track rage" on the Metro, here are some seemingly little things that will help us all get along better -- whether you label it as courtesy or self-preservation.   

Some of the ins and outs:

*Let the people getting off the bus or train exit first before surging on. And, while you're at it, why not leave them enough room to actually make that exit instead of locking arms with other incoming riders to force them back in. This isn't just courtesy; it'll help you stay on schedule, too.  The bus doesn't leave until they get off.  And, even if you did manage to squeeze by and claim the last free seat, you'll still be delayed.  The same goes for elevators at the stations.

*But, when it’s your turn to exit, better not assume anyone will follow the previous advice and let you off easily.  Clutch your belongings, lower your head, cover any soft and vulnerable parts, and barrel out.  They'll get the message.

*Escalator etiquette in train and subway stations remains pretty much unchanged since they were first invented some 120 years ago (apparently at Coney Island, as a ride): stand to the right, walk to the left. That's your right and your left -- regardless of which way the escalator is facing.  And, to help make that possible for others, keep baggage, baby carriages, bicycles and hefty bags full of recyclable cans in front of you (or take the elevator).

To keep reading click below....

Once on board:

*Forget all that stuff you learned at summer camp about the first one in the cabin gets the upper bunk.  Move across to the window seat of the two-across benches whenever possible.  They ride about the same as the aisle seats. The other riders will actually let you out at your stop -- (they will, honest; really, they will -- they want to be alone there more than you want to leave).

A recent nearly scientific survey conducted by a veteran train and bus rider whose name is on my dusty driver's license found that the average cross-town bus loses 4.56 minutes per 60 minute trip waiting for the aisle-sitters to allow the window-seat riders to get in and out each time.

*The sound of most Metro buses will drown out a lot of on-board noises, but if you instead take the subway or light rail you may want something entertaining plugged into your ears. You won't be alone, by any means.  Regardless, you'll still end up hearing all the stray sounds coming from others' hand-held devices.  So much so, at times, you may want to ask, "is that a number '11' on the volume control to your iPod I see there (with apologies to 'Spinal Tap'), or did you just buy the cheapest darn headphones you could find."  Most days, you can plainly hear every word someone's favorite downloaded artist is singing/rapping/cursing, from clear across the aisle. 

It may be called an iPod, but on mass transit, it's often an "our" Pod.

Beyond what you hear, there are tips for dealing with overloads to the other four "senses" of mass-transitting.  But to save space -- for the one dealing with human touch there are just three magic words to remember: liquid hand sanitizer.

In closing, remember that the driver isn't your mommy, your friend or the cop on the beat. He or she is, in the case of buses, maneuvering a 12-ton, 40-passenger guided missile down heavily congesting streets filled with people who drive as recklessly as you used to.

If you want to research that on your own, look for a classic recording of comedian Bob Newhart's "Bus Driver School."

Joseph Riser
MTA bus/train rider two to three times a week

photo: Steve Hymon / LAT

Comments

[Oscar]

- If you have a bike....try to make sure you're out of the way of other riders.

- Take a book, most times people strike up a conversation with me about what I'm reading.

- You can find that other riders will share your disdain for the trip, and might make a friend or two.

- Whatever you do don't let go of the rail, those bus drivers hit the brakes HARD!

- Learn to say "excuse me" and "con permiso" it will make your life a little easier.

- Not everyone on the train has the whole system map memorized so if you ask for help you might not get a right answer, best to check on the map.

- Don't bring your coffee or fast food on the train...unless you brought enough for all of us.

[Dr Stu]

Those cute little bottles of Purell come in handy when you need a libation to stem the frustration of being on a crowded bus.
Aside from that, people should understand that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are being slammed by infection control experts--these products do not penetrate dirty hands, they lose their effectiveness within seconds after applying, but most importantly-they destroy important skin cells that are supposed to be protecting the body from bacteria.
Exactly why many are migrating to alcohol-free products that are equally, if not more effective i.e. germ killing, but are safer and friendlier. Leading brands (Soapopular, Hy5 and others) use the organic compound benzalkonium chloride-a widely-recognized antiseptic that is non-flammable, non-toxic, penetrates dirty hands, and continues to protect long after being applied. Also safer for kids to use. More info is at http://www.soapyusa.com/abso.html

[Sammy]

I second Brady's point. Please, MTA, do a PSA campaign telling people to stand on the right and walk on the left.

[Joseph Riser]

The stairs do often serve as overflow for the limited number of seats in most Goldline and Redline stations that I visit. My guess is the seating was kept low to keep transients from camping out there, but at certain hours - if you just miss a connection, for example - you can easily find yourself standing around for 15 minutes in a station where there's bench seating available for less than 10 people and a platform filled with 50-80 waiting.

[M]

I have another - When you are at a station with stairs, don't sit, lounge or mindlessly talk on your phone on the stairs. If people ask you to move don't ignore them - there is probably a huge crowd coming. Surprisingly, people do actually need to walk on these stairs. Most people do not have superpowers that allow them to leap over you.

[brady westwater]

Since so many people who take transit are culturally clueless about escalator rules - the MTA needs to post signs explaining the stand on the right and walk on the left rule.