Submitted by Muni/BART rider CAK
I was at a dinner party with a group of new acquaintances when the subject of BART infuriations came up. A gentleman who commutes from Oakland to San Francisco said he hates it most when people cut the line (or wait on the side of the line in order to cut later) that accumulates on the platforms waiting for a BART train. I replied that I refuse to wait in the lines, and actually disdain those who do wait in line. So, Muni Diaries friends, what say you?
His argument is that it makes it an orderly process and easier for seats and aisles to fill in and avoids cramming at the door by people who otherwise can’t be bothered to be orderly. My argument is that lines that start on opposite sides of the platform come together in the middle and the entire platform’s length becomes completely unnavigable for those with disabilities who might need to get from one end to another. I see this every day and I hate having to zigzag through and between people who mindlessly stand in line (and yes, people who try to “orderly” easily become mindless). There needs to be a clear path for people with disabilities and so I say nay to line-standing.
I don’t really leave San Francisco so I’m not sure about line-standing culture in the East Bay on platforms, but I rarely feel frowned upon for not standing in line, and instead frown upon those who are obviously not paying attention to disabled passengers trying to get around on the platform. I don’t think I have noticed a line-standing culture on the underground Muni platforms either, and one positive note about the aboveground Munis (for the N, J, K, L, and M, anyway) is that the “line” in which you wait is parallel to the train and its multiple doors and therefore more accessible for a variety of needs.
To line up or not to line up? Please post!
Photo by Flickr user DCE
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One big problem with the lines is they get in the way of exiting passengers. Would be better to have two mobs on either side of the door and leave the middle clear for exiting. And yeah, the lines are annoying to walk around.
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I agree with your friend and appreciate the line-up for BART trains. Compare this to MUNI trains which is a free-for-all. It’s frustrating to be waiting for the N-Judah and watch the crowds accumulate as we all wait for the next train to arrive. When the train actually does come (20 minutes later…but I digress), the length of time you’ve been waiting has no correlation to whether you will actually be able to board the train or get pushed out of the way. I usually do make it on, but who needs that stress.
Back to BART, I do see your point about the lines blocking walkways. Would be good to see a solution where there are still lines, but perhaps a pathway down the middle.
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I’ve noticed the BART line culture at peak hours, but beyond that it always seems like a free-for-all. MUNI has never operated like that, and I didn’t really notice the lines until I started hopping on the express buses for my new job. Since there are only 3 stops going outbound for the 38 and 31 bx, it gets packed and the only way to really handle it is with the line. It makes sense, and since there are so many buses coming it really makes things easier and faster. If you tried to cut lines in an express bus someone would speak up about it, for sure. When there is a line its clearly for the structure, and its necessary. So, I guess what I’m trying to say, as a frequent transit line participant, is they’re alright.
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I like the idea of lines, but as Tara pointed out, it’s imposing order on chaos. Sooner or later, the uptight among us (yours truly, most prominently) need to realize that ours is a disorderly culture. We don’t mind others too well, and we’re definitely inconsiderate as all hell.
Still, I kind of like the idea of trying.
Yes, Muni Manners ladies, I’m baiting you! ;)
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People waiting for a Muni underground train stand at the yellow zone like they are in line, but then when the doors open hardly anyone moves. They stand there right in front of the door while everyone enters and exits around them and people from the back of the crowd try to push through the waiting crowd before the doors close. There needs to be an announcement to take a few steps back if your train isn’t the one pulling up to the platform.
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It is kind of fun to sidle up and stand next to a line at an East Bay platform as if it were a crowd though. The passive-aggressive dirty looks are delicious.
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I don’t stand in line. I stand next to the line, then get in as if it were just a group of people instead of a line.
There is no line! Why are you in line!?
I say no.
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If it would be an official BART policy, I would consider it. But otherwise it just seems like some other passenger is trying to impose their ineffective idea on me. I have been commuting on subways for decades now in different countries and BART was the first where I saw people sometimes forming these half-assed lines. I promptly ignored them.
The thing I get mad about is when people don’t keep to the right on the escalator and don’t let others exit before entering a car. If anything, we should make sure we get better about that.
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Barna, you’re so right. Just thinking about the escalator thing is enough to make my blood boil. But there’s also those who board before letting people off. I remember learning that one as it relates to elevator etiquette at a very early age.
People …
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In general, I don’t mind the line as it (as long as it’s to one side of the doors) keeps people out of the way of passengers exiting the train. However, as a heavily pregnant woman, I go ahead and cut the line because I really need a seat. I do also move down on the platform away from the busiest central cars — lines are shorter, seats are more plentiful.
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