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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

BAG RIDERS. HELP ME BRING THEM PAIN!

There are a few things in life that piss me off:
  1. People who post shit on kijiji and don't remove their ads after they've sold their shit and thus, waste my time while I write them to inquire about said shit.
  2. People who drive at 5 km/hr up and over a curb into the entrance of a plaza, mall or parking lot. WHY DO YOU DO THAT? Your car isn't going to break. These are the same people who typically drive around sewers - in an SUV.
  3. People who look right at you when you head towards an elevator and allow the doors to close right in your face.
But nothing, nothing pisses me off more than bag riders on GO buses. MOVE YOUR SHIT.

This morning, I took a later bus - a bus typically filled with UOIT and Durham College students. Every single available seat was occupied by a backpack. I walked to the back of the bus and stood in the aisle, on purpose, to make a point. Other people boarded and also stood. Really? I was standing to make a point, not because I didn't have the nerve to ask people to move their bags (which no one did despite people standing).

So after about five stops, there are now four people standing and 18 seats with backpacks. It was when a fifth person boarded that I lost my temper. I spoke up and asked people who had backpacks to be considerate of those standing and move their bags. Seven bag riders complied and the rest ignored me or pretended not to hear me. So I reminded everyone that overhead storage bins are provided at no extra cost and to please use them.  Two ladies sat down and thanked me. Good God, right? This is what it's come to?

Grow a spine, people. People on transit are not entitled to anymore room than one seat and a seat they bought one ticket for. You are entitled to a seat just by paying your fare so be assertive. Demand a seat.

8 comments:

Squiggles said...

I tried that on a DRT bus one morning. Purposely "woke" the only yahoo that pretends to sleep to ask him to move over (he didn't have a bag that I could see).

What does he do? He gets up so that I was seated by the window - backpack and purse in my lap. All so that he could be the first person off the bus.

Bicky said...

The other night going home on the train, the CSA reminded people to not put their bags on the seat. Especially since the bags don't have a ticket. He said "Unless your bag bought a ticket and can provide proof of said ticket, keep your bags on your lap or on the floor." I thought "YES!" and outwardly broke into a fit of giggles.

Jack C. said...

I think I've said this before, but I would love it if the transit cops would demand to see proof of two paid fares from bag riders and write them up if they only paid for one fare. "I'm sorry. Your knapsack has clearly paid and is free to go, but I'm going to have to write you a citation for fare jumping."

Bicky said...

@Jack C. - Ha ha ha! That's brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Good call. Speak up. Otherwise, people will never learn.

Squiggles said...

@ Anon (and I hope you are the same who posted at 9.31 with dirty seat guy)

I have spoken up. Many times. And have been shot down, sworn at and told to mind my own business. A person can only handle so much before they become complacent about the disrespectful behaviour.

Anonymous said...

AHAAHHA at Jack C.

Anonymous said...

@Squiggles

Dont be intimidated. Argue with them until they get it right. If no one is going to speak up and teach them then who will? If it gets heated then reach for a fire extinguisher (and well.. you know the rest)