November 14th will mark two months since the official opening of Ottawa’s LRT Confederation Line. Like most Ottawans, this major move had me excited and hopeful for a new future – a future without the long wait times and packed buses we’ve grown used to in the nation’s capital. Like so many other cities – Toronto, Montreal, Paris, and London, for example – I figured the 613 would be ready to jump into the commuter train lifestyle.
Girl, was I ever wrong.
As a frequent OC user, I quickly realized that Ottawa was definitely not prepared for the LRT. Delays became an everyday occurrence, train cars were breaking down on the daily, and we were still snug as sardines on the 95 – sorry, 75 – route to suburban Ottawa. While these issues are largely out of the hands of commuters, there’s one totally preventable thing that really sends me off the rails (pun intended) about the LRT. That, my friends, is train etiquette.
Once the LRT was open for business, it soon came to my attention that commuters seemed pretty unaware with regards to the conventions (dare I say rules?) of train transportation. I don’t blame them; this is a totally new thing for us Ottawans! We’re learning!
Sorry for sounding like a #StudyAbroadGirl, but I studied broad in the city that is home to arguably one of the most famous – if not the most famous – commuter train systems in the world: London, England! I spent four months minding the gap and frolicking amongst the rats in the London Underground; I consider myself to be a bit of an ~aficionado~ when it comes to this kind of thing.
These tips and tricks seem to be shared on a need-to-know basis. There’s no signs or guidebooks that show us how to conduct ourselves on the train. So I took to Reddit and rounded up the five best train etiquette tips from the people who love rules and who know commuter train travel better than anyone – the experts themselves, Londoners!
Save space on the train by taking your backpack or bag off and placing it at your feet. Nobody likes getting knocked over by someone’s homework.
Let people off the train before you try to get on. The OC Transpo folks have started painting arrows on the platform to make this way easier.
If you’re using the escalators, follow this method: right hand side if you’re just coasting, left hand if you’re walking up. This is my favourite tip. Following this easy trick can save SO much time on your commute.
Let people use the areas designed for their needs. Elevators, priority seats, and the wider doors at the front of the LRT are specially built for specific needs. If you can avoid using them -when it’s rush hour, or when someone needs them – do so. It might make someone’s day that much less difficult.
Mind the Gap! Considering a commuter’s recent brush with the LRT tracks at Rideau Station, maybe we should take this tip a little more seriously…
Well, in the end, I’m a-freight it’ll take some time for Ottawa to adjust to this big change. Here’s my train of thought on the whole thing: if there’s one thing we Ottawans can do, it’s chu-chu-choose to be patient. Soon enough, we’ll be “all aboard” and riding towards an easier, stress-free daily commute with the LRT!