When transit
agencies try to promote safety as well as consideration of one’s
fellow passengers, the challenge is getting the attention of
self-absorbed or distracted riders. Washington DC’s bus and rail
system is trying a campaign that uses humour to change habits and
enhance transit etiquette.
The Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known locally as Metro, is
publicizing some newly created words that are “not found in your
typical dictionary.” While aimed at their own clientele, transit
riders everywhere can relate to the “Doorker”. That’s a person who
crowds or blocks subway train doors, making it difficult for others
to exit or enter promptly.
According to
the site www.wmata.com,
“Conseaterate” (pronounced ken-seet-er-it) is being “thoughtful
toward others who are more in need of a Metrorail or Metrobus seat.”
Humour is also
a way to make riders aware of security threats, without frightening
them. The DC system says “PlanBdextrous” (plan-bi-dek-stres) means
being “able to plan an alternate route home in case Metro is
inaccessible due to unforeseen circumstances.”
”Sumpnspicious,”
(sump-en-spish-es) is what you get when you translate “something
suspicious” into colloquial American speech. It refers to an
“unattended package or odd, unusual behavior that is reported to a
bus driver, train operator, station manager or Metro Police.”
The DC transit
agency will survey its customers to see how they respond to this
type of campaign.
In Toronto, a
local volunteer group is calling on TTC riders to get creative by
imagining the transit system covered with art. The Toronto Public
Space Committee wants people to consider how buses, streetcars and
subway cars would look if artistic creations replaced advertising.
The group’s
website notes “this is not a TTC-endorsed initiative,” but plans to
show some of the work at an art gallery this winter. If creativity
strikes you, feel free to use “photo illustrations, sketches,
paintings, animation and sculptures.”
Teachers are
also invited to use the competition to inspire their students. The
deadline for submissions is October 31, and further details are
available at www.publicspace.ca.
Some of the
Public Space Committee’s positions on local issues are considered
controversial, and a few affect transit riders. The group deserves a
lot of credit for helping push the City of Toronto to post street
names on bus shelters.
Until now,
riders may not have considered the transit system to be a place for
artistic expression, except when they come across some of the very
talented musician buskers playing in the subway. However, have you
visited Eglinton station recently? This month the busy stop on the
Yonge line is home to a wide array of visual and performing arts.
I’d better get over there myself, before October ends.
This week, the
dance company “TILT sound+motion” will perform Tuesday and Thursday
morning after 9 a.m. Go to
www.Livewithculture.ca for the full schedule, and don’t forget
to click on “Culture Deals” for discounts available to TTC pass
holders until October 31.