I'm the guy who won't sit down. You see if I sit down, I have to choose between sitting in the aisle seat (and being one of those assholes who blocks off the window seat), or sitting on the window seat - which poses the risk of someone coming and sitting next to me, in which case I might be forced to ask them to stand and let me get out when it's my stop. And while that might seem like a minor problem to the uninitiated, what if they do this when my stop is next, and then they may wonder why I wordlessly allowed them to sit next to me when I'm about to get up and ask them to move?
I dont know if it helps, but I dont think I would be bothered to be asked to stand up for someone to pass:)
I would be kinda bothered to see an empty seat though, cuz someone could be sitting there (even if it isn't me, it's still better if the bus has fewer people standing).
(I suppose some people might have their reasons (like medical issues) and might want to seat alone, so I can't be very bothered about empty seats, as I don't know for sure their case.)
Also, you can stand up if you are approaching your stop (like maybe when your stop is next), to lower the chances of having them sit down and stand up.
PS. I'm the guy who doesn't tend to sit down, mainly cuz there aren't many seats.😆 If it's packed, I might stand next to the door to step down the bus during each stop to help with the flow of people:)
I'd like to enjoy public transit, but between how terrible of a service it is due to underfunding and NIMBYs, that and my severe OCD & germaphobia prevent me from using it. It makes my skin crawl.
But I also recognize how useful of a tool it is for a city.
Yup. My city itself is pretty decent in comparison to the average U.S. city from what I can tell. But we have basically zero rail transit, and every journey by bus forces you to take one downtown and another to your destination at a minimum, if not 3 busses. It turns a 20 minute trip into a 1-3 hour trip. They've got like no funding, no dedicated bus lanes, etc.
Between that and the smell of piss, I just can't do it.
Re: sitting down, I've experienced (more than once) an unpleasant dampness soaking into my shorts/trousers from the seat fabric. I stand unless I have no choice.
I don't mind public transport except for the fact there's always that one fucking person blasting the most garbage music you've ever heard from their iPhone 5 speaker
It's why I kept earplugs with me all the time on public transit. And not those foam orange ones, but cone-shaped ones marketed to musicians that go so deep they touch your brain and block out everything.
The bus driver could announce that the bus is on fire. There could be a knife fight right behind me. High schoolers could be yelling about bro no way bro did you see that bro. I can't hear shit.
I never feel like the first one, I only get annoyed when there are delays.
Of course, nowadays I mostly wish I was biking instead, but the fact that I'm on transit generally means the weather is so shit I can't stand the thought of a bike ride, or that I'm planning to drink enough that riding the bike home would be irresponsible.
The line I frequent currently is plagued by delays, caused by chronic underinvestment in the rail network by governments for decades. Luckily, it's usually not delayed at the times I use it.
Anyway, biking is way faster when it's an option for me - around 12 minutes versus usually 30 minutes with the train, for a 5 km trip. There's a new metro line under construction where I live though, and this will probably improve trip times and on-time performance significantly.
I like public transit - it's a vital function in any urban area - but my FUCK can it be bungled to the point of near uselessness.
My city has a really bad reputation re: public transit, with many contributing causes. It's actually almost as interesting as it is infuriating at times. Someone made a decent documentary I recommend to anyone in my city who has experienced our transit system:
I stand a lot on transit, I just prefer it. Only sit if I've been walking all day or extra tired for some reason. No blocking seats though, I'll definitely move if I spot someone eyeing it, or to get past me for any other reason.
Mass transit is all too often rum by those who think transit users should be punished for their poor life choices that make them unable to afford a car. It shows with how bad it is.
My city has a fleet of vintage streetcars that it runs on standard routes (i.e., it's not just a tourist novelty --- and it's the same cost as bus and other light rail).
It's always a joy to ride those and read the history of the individual streetcar --- they all wear fun livery.
I do get stressed when public transport is inefficient, but it's my state's problem because of carbrains, and I also really enjoy being able to go to the city's center or close to the metro to a party, drink/smoke and get to my house using public transport. Mind you, I don't get too bad, I'd hate to bother or worry other people.
Yeah, public transpiration would be great if my fellow Americans weren't such filthy, disgusting trash. I am not sitting on the seat that smells like ass cheese because the guy that was sitting on it 5 stops ago is a nasty fat fuck. Not like the bus company ever hoses them down but once a month, either.
Japanese public transportation is immaculate and the number of people that use it is mind-blowing. There is no excuse. America, you're fucking disgusting, lazy trash.
Eh, it depends. Lots of vomit later at night. Also people taking their masks OFF to sneeze and cough without covering their mouths on the trains during corona was fun. But, most of the time, I would agree
Gotta love the bare aluminium seats. The heat conductivity also makes sure to get rid of the lingering heat that makes you feel like someone was there a few minutes ago.
But the coughers and tobacco stinkers. Nothing we can do about it. Using the Metro on the wrong time, for me, means catching a cold. Maybe the latest strand of flu, even. Even though they have a pretty good HVAC
The big irony is that Japan's systems are so smooth because they don't organise themselves democratically. The west literally can't replicate it because they have no experience implementing a functional compromise. Majority rule means you stop looking for solutions once 51% of people are convinced it's a good idea.