Thank you to the crack head who started a fire under I-85. You have made morning commutes a dream for everyone involved. Before the fire, my morning commute was [almost] always on Atlanta's public rail transportation, MARTA. It was NEVER crowded. I always got a seat (on most days, unless Gift Show was in the city), and almost everyone on the train was a regular and knew the etiquette of riding public transportation.
In the last few days, I have observed that the newcomers to MARTA have NO idea how to utilize this sanctuary of transportation. My quiet 20 minute commute has now turned into a very disruptive morning. And I feel it is my duty to share with you all some best practices to share with newbies as they learn their way around this new way of traveling.
Let's begin:
1. When the train approaches, do not crowd the door. There are usually people who need to exit the train before you can even get on the train. I promise the conductor will not leave you if you let them off first.
2. When you enter the train, please continue to move onto the train. Do not stop at the door. Find a seat or stand in the aisle. There are handles on the back of the seats and handles above you for that reason. You all don't have to stand at the door.
3. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, scoot in! Do not put your bags and purses in the seat next to you. Place your bags in your lap and scoot closest to the window to allow other passengers to take the seat next to you.
4. If you are traveling with a large suitcase, there are spots by the door where you can store you luggage. This leaves more room in the aisle for people to stand AND you don't have to sit on the end to hold your luggage.
5. Do not talk on the phone in the morning. This is a peaceful 20 minutes that we are all trying to soak in before we head into our busy jobs. Read your Kindle, newspaper, or book. Flip through your phone and catch up on social media. Listen to podcasts, the news, or videos WITH headphones!
6. When the train approaches your stop, do not get up before the train comes to a complete stop. Again, I promise the train will not leave with you on it (unless you just sit there while the doors are open). Once the train comes to a complete stop, ask your neighbor if you could scoot out. They will (for the most part) politely move over or stand up and let you out.
7. When the train comes to a complete stop and it is not your stop, please move so others can get by you. Standing like a tree by the door is not helpful to ANYONE.
8. As you exit, have your ticket ready in hand.
9. Approach the exit in a single file line and KEEP MOVING! You do NOT have to wait for the doors to close before you exit. Once the person in front of you taps their ticket, and starts to walk, you may then tap your ticket and continue walking. If it closes early, it's okay. As long as your tapped your ticket and the word "GO" comes on the screen you have paid your fee and should exit the stop.
10. When you get on the escalator, stand to the right with your luggage and bags in front or behind you. Leave the left side of the escalator for commuters who would like to walk up the steps. When you or your luggage blocks the left path, you leave a major traffic jam behind you.
PLEASE be considerate of your fellow commuters. We all do not want to be in the predicament that we are in with I-85 being closed. So lets make everyone's commute a little more enjoyable by following these best practices. Thank you for riding MARTA [with respect] and have a blessed day!
Signed a frustrated commuter,
Kayla
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