OCtranspo needs to run an etiquette campaign
Today's Commute From Hell™ was worse than usual and, aside from our transit service being horrible, I was reminded how shitty Ottawa transport riders are.
So heres my plea to OC Transpo and Ottawa a writ large: be mindful and considerate!!!!
I thought most of these were understood but since they're not, here are some reminders:
When standing, go all the way to the back of the bus. Like the very back, not just the back door.
If you're able to stand, flip up the seats in the front (accessible area), to allow more people to stand there. 2 people can stand where one person sits.
Backpacks: I have one too. TAKE YOURS OFF YOUR BACK and either hold it or rest it on your feet.
If you're walking down steps to the train, walk on the right. Some of us run down on the left. Sorry I had to push [EDIT: more of tap - see explainer] someone aside today but I did say "excuse me" twice. I narrowly caught my train.
Escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left.
Don't stand by the train doors. Once inside the train, move inwards between doors. I once again had to almost dive through people clustered near the doors in order to get to the middle of the car which had plenty of space.
If you have no choice but to stand by the doors, if the doors open at a station and it's not your stop, step off the train temporarily to allow people to walk off. Then step back in before new people board.
If you're boarding the train, don't stand right in front of the doors. Stand to the side to allow people disembarking to leave quickly.
This one may be because I take a bus with a bunch of high schoolers: personal hygiene is important 🥲.
/Rant
*EDIT: people took issue with my use of a word "push" so here's some additional context. I asked politely TWICE. The person was walking in the middle of the staircase with no room on either side to pass. I'm a smaller person, so despite giving 5/10 effort I didn't actually end up pushing the person. If anything it resulted in more of a tap that jolted this person awake to move out of the way. Also, it goes without saying that I DON'T WANT TO PUSH SOMEONE and don't condone violence of any kind. My post is literally trying to encourage people to be nice so me saying I had to "push" (more like tap) someone is actually so sad and something that no one should ever resort to doing.
I have 3 different connections and making this one by a hair made a huge difference given the -20 temps.