Metro > Community Transit

The following is my rant about the Community Transit riders (Sorry, David.)

I walk to campus everyday except for the two days I open the lab at 7:30am. Those days (like today) I’ll stroll up the block and take whatever bus happens to run by at 7:20am. Since I started this routine, it became apparent that my usual Metro routes did not come by that often in the morning and I was initially delighted at the chance to ride a Community Transit bus. The Community Transit buses are typically filled with commuters from the suburbs and are just a lot nicer inside (think charter bus). But there is just one thing that bothers me about it: the difference in socially accepted bus etiquette.

Walking on the bus this morning, I walked by row after row to see each one occupied by one person who had a purse or bag holding the seat next to them. Now this is all fine and good if you have a lot of stuff, a large duffle bag, say some kids or something. But each row I passed had no more than one person and a little purse or backpack put onto the seat to prevent someone from sitting down next to them. The bus was only half full and as I walked by each row, each person met my gaze, looked down at their seat beside them, and put their hand over it indicating I was not to sit there. Luckily there was one remaining vacant row in the very back of the bus. But WTH mate? I could barely wrap my head around the situation. Do they need to be reminded that while they may be on the more illustrious Community Transit buses, that are still on a bus?

Now on the Metro, you keep your bag on your lap. It’s just a common courtesy. And when it’s not on my lap, when people get on the bus I move my stuff to make sure people know that it’s available. When I first started riding the bus three years ago, I picked this up from people who did the same. Obviously there are exceptions. But for the most part, the idea of denying someone a seat because your purse requires it is pretty uncalled for.

Now the Metro buses may not have the fabric covered seats and the moderate cleanliness of a Community Transit bus. And the Metro has the usual presence of street kids, people talking to themselves, and homeless folk riding them while the Community Transit does not. But those folks have never denied me a seat as I rode the bus along with them. It just blew my mind today walking past row after row of nicely dressed upright people who would refuse to have anyone sit by them. It’s just common courtesy. How do they have the audacity to put their hand out as you walk by to gesture “You’re not sitting here.”? Can’t help but think that even the surliest of ferry commuters share their booths!

Argh, yeah there’s my rant on the insolence of Community Transit riders. I apologize ahead of time for the vast (and probably unreasonable) generalization. I was just taken aback by this morning’s incident. Your buses are the ones that do take me to work in a timely manner though, so to the back of the bus it’ll be for me. /me shakes fist