Transit - using common sense and kindness

Often, issues on transit that end up in frustrations arguments or conflicts could easily be resolved by resorting to common sense, but it is difficult to express that to an angry person. For example, often the buses are crowded and people with kids are competing with adults that have disabilities and pregnant moms etc so how do we allocate 5 or 10 seats for so many who need them? Common sense tells me that elderly and frail people with mobility issues need to be seated at the front for reasons of practicality as their bones are fragile and they risk less harm by moving through less space and having more leg room. People with suitcases, strollers etc have to prioritize and that means suitcases do not ever take priority over strollers. Strollers should be collapsible in most cases so that baby can sit on mom or dad when necessary thus freeing up space. It also makes sense for people in the other seats to give them up when necessary thus allowing vegetarian hipster types who work out regularly some way to utilize their fit bodies in standing for those who cannot. Younger kids should be taught to stand, safely, for those who cannot. It makes sense and kindness begets kindness, pass it on.

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May 26, 2018 at 4:36pm

Funny, because my generation was taught all of that as a matter of course, but unfortunately when so many of us had kids, they neglected to teach them basic manners. It was the time when the concept of allowing your kids total freedom without boundaries, and it was hard being one of the people who didn’t want to raise my kids that way. I therefore think the current attitude of entitlement and rudeness that has permeated the society can be attributed to my generation of late baby boomers.

15 8Rating: +7

Or...

May 26, 2018 at 5:07pm

... we could get rid of these outmoded 20th century "equity" categories on the bus and have a first-come first-served situation. If someone needs a seat, he will have to deal with that himself.

What you call "kindness" is really just a system of discrimination designed to 'redressed inequality.' Socialism has no place on the bus, comrade!

uknow

May 26, 2018 at 10:30pm

you make valid points except for one. there is no such thing as common sense

13 8Rating: +5

Amen

May 27, 2018 at 12:01am

I think this is the best post I've read about public transit. Words well spoken. For all the ignorant people out there that lack common sense and empathy, there are still amazing people that exist out there.

20 7Rating: +13

Anonymous

May 27, 2018 at 7:12am

I've often said that transit life would be so much easier if the other people who use transit realized that other people also use transit. You're amidst a shit ton of people now, time to wakey-wakey!

11 7Rating: +4

Anonymous

May 27, 2018 at 9:56am

LOL try telling any of this to 3rd world immigrants currently flooding into Canada.

Good luck!

Umbrella stroller

May 27, 2018 at 8:21pm

I was too broke and also not willing to get one of those $1000 giant, plastic, overblown strollers with under storage, coffee holders and roof. We had a $29.99 umbrella stroller that folded up. When it was open and my kid was in it, it took no more space than a person standing up in the bus. I would ALWAYS give up my seat in the front of the bus for a wheelchair. To this day, I loathe those monster plastic SUV strollers on the sidewalk, in the store aisles, on the bus. They’re an obnoxious use of space in a crowded city. Parents are tricked by the baby industry in so many ways that they need this shit.

22 9Rating: +13

Legal or not?

May 27, 2018 at 11:12pm

When I was a young Mom it wasn’t permitted to keep your child in a stroller on the bus. We had to have the fold-up type and we had to take our child out of it while they were on the bus. I had two kids under the age of two, so for me it wasn’t easy, but somehow I managed. On the other hand, our population then wasn’t as big as it is now so busses weren’t quite as crowded, but even when they were packed we still had to abide by those rules. I haven’t taken transit in a long time now, so I’m not sure what the rules are now?

13 7Rating: +6

@Or...

May 28, 2018 at 1:59pm

Go fuck yourself, Jordan Peterson.

8 11Rating: -3

@Or...

May 28, 2018 at 2:46pm

Why do I feel like I'm the only one who appreciates your sarcastic humour? Here, have an upvote.

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