Props Commuters!

While I do commute to work on the train daily, I do not ride during the morning or afternoon commute hours. Even when I was riding from Bay Point to San Francisco Airport, it was non-commute hours. But today was somewhat of an eye opener while I was downtown.

I spent a few hours with a mainline technician, those guys dresses in blue, carrying the over sized backpacks who attempt to keep the trains moving. These are the folks who troubleshoot and fix problems, like doors not opening or stuck, hot cars and assorted other problems.

I realized riding back to the office today I would not survive if I had to commute to downtown SF daily. I picked up a Dublin/Pleasanton train at Civic Center Station and by the time we departed Embarcadero it was standing room only. Typical load for 6pm.

As I have read many times previously on a few unofficial BART web sites, the car I was on had no HVAC, so it was sweltering hot, I’d guess 85 degrees. The hot car coupled with sweaty people and the stench was overpowering. The guy sitting next to me didn’t help with his nasty body odor.

After we departed Powell, a white woman started a verbal altercation with an Oriental woman. Something about being pushed out while she was getting the train. It was entertaining to watch, not as good as an in flight movie, but blows were never exchanged, as they were standing about 20 feet apart. The Oriental female was denying everything she was being accused, finally got tired of the verbal spattering and turned her back. The white woman stood there, with a shitty smile on her face. They both off boarded at West Oakland.

As I have written in the past, people who ride the trains are like lemmings. Many on a station platform are not paying attention as they are too busy babbling away on a mobile phone or trying to eat/drink and walk. Let’s not forget about those inconsiderate individuals attempting to be “green” with their bicycles who don’t seem to get out of the way for anyone. Need we mention luggage? One of the big complaints I read time and time again.

So to all you commuters who ride from the East Bay to SF and back daily, my hat’s off to you. While there are many behind the scenes making your ride [pleasant, hopefully] to and from your destinations problem free, the system needs riders in order to survive. Thanks!