“Why Are Caltrain Conductors So Much Friendlier?”


Photo by Richard Masoner

Burning question on Quora: “Why are Caltrain staff so much friendlier than other public transport staff in the Bay Area?”

While I am not sure the assertion is true, the sages on Quora have some guesses, including:
1. Caltrain conductors see more regulars.
2. Caltrain is quieter and more pleasant to ride so people are less cranky (except when this happens).
3. Caltrain conductors’ job description sounds more empowering.
4. Caltrain is faster than Muni (“slowness breeds frustration.”)

Hmm. Are Caltrain conductors really friendlier than, say, Muni operators?

The rest of the Quora thread.

Hat tip: Laura O. of our own @caltraindiaries!

Video: How to Drive a Bus in the Bay Area

Holy MF awesome! Our own Animals and Other Cities editor, Amy, brings us the find of the decade. It’s educational footage from the early 1980s that walks Bay Area transit drivers through the various shenanigans that happen on any given route. Among them:

  • Entitled old ladies who ain’t paying
  • Boom-box blaring teenagers (if you ask nicely, they’ll turn it off)
  • Teens who light paper fires in the back of the bus
  • Drunk dudes trying to board the bus, bottle in hand
  • Crazy lady who doesn’t want a ride, just wants to show off her fashion finds
  • Dudes fighting because one tripped the other
  • Olive Oyl and the purse-snatcher
  • Creepy dude who pre-rapes bus-driving lady

You know, the everyday stuff. And the soundtrack [exclamation point]

Art Opening Wednesday Night: Pieces of the City

Tonight is opening night for San Francisco artist Nathan Tan (Nate1), whom you might also know as the designer of our awesome “Long Live the Fast Pass” T-shirts. This time Nate will be at Social Kitchen and Brewery, where you can check out the exhibition and  sample craft beer and food.

Details:

Pieces of the City

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 6-8pm in the mezzanine.
Social Kitchen & Brewery
1326 9th Ave, San Francisco

LomographySF Facebook Contest: Win a 110 Fisheye Camera!


Accidental triptych by Yours Truly

Remember our Muni-themed workshop with LomographySF? We got the photos back from that super-fun day, meaning it is officially contest time. Workshop attendees are competing for the title of best photo, and it’s up to all y’alls to pick the winner.

Head over to the Muni Diaries Facebook Page (like us if you haven’t already!) to vote. To vote, be sure to like an individual photo, not the album. Which album? This album of lovely Lomo pics. I mean, you can like the album — and why wouldn’t you — but that doesn’t count as a vote, FYI.

The photo with the most likes wins: a 110 Fisheye Lomo camera and a roll of 110 film!

Well, I’m jealous, because that camera is flippin’ adorable. And it’s perfect for toting around town and taking more of those subtle street shots we know and love here at Muni Diaries.

Voting is open from now until midnight on this Friday, August 17th.

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