I hear Toronto
has been rated the third most polite city in the world. Good news.
Now, can we work on a few things? How about more courtesy for
expectant mothers and people who don’t move around as easily as
everyone else?
Aytul Ozbakir
of East York writes, “I am a 7-month pregnant woman. I have noticed
that TTC does not have a seating policy for pregnant women. They do
have a policy for seniors and disabled.
“Allow me run
down what it is like to ride the TTC at rush hour, while pregnant: I
am dizzy, and short of breath. I am extremely tired. Riding TTC
while standing, I feel faint quite often and am scared of fainting.
“I am carrying
extra weight from pregnancy. Not only that, but I am carrying this
huge ball in a place that tips me out of balance. People can be
rude, they ignore that I am pregnant, and tend to push me -- which
is dangerous.
“P.S.: I am an
immigrant. In my country when a pregnant woman enters public
transportation, many young men and women offer their seats. Those
who do not are frowned upon.”
I haven’t found
anyone who recalls why the TTC years ago removed references to
expecting mothers from signs and window stickers, but both the TTC
and GO Transit are revisiting the issue of courtesy seating.
Riders, how
would you like to see our transit agencies approach this? Of course
a societal trend can’t be addressed simply by posters and audio
announcements. Send your suggestions to
transit@eddrass.com on how
to reach our fellow passengers, and inspire a little more
consideration for others.
Barbara
Davidson of Pickering writes, “I do not understand what is happening
to the transit travelers in Toronto. Something has been lost or
forgotten. Manners? Courtesy? Comradeship? I don't know.
“We are an
aging population and with this comes limitations in our mobility due
in part to health related problems. More and more of us have to use
canes and walkers.
“I, for one, do
not use my cane as a fashion accessory. It is now an extension of my
body and allows me to (somewhat) safely travel the transit system.
“All that we are
asking of our fellow travelers is please, have a care. We are not
invisible, we matter too, and the transit system is for the use of
us all. Please be a bit more courteous or accommodating to that
handicapped person who just entered the platform for GO Transit or
the TTC. And don't forget, one day you too may also be faced with
using a mobility device due to injury, ill health or aging.”
Read the full
text of these two excellent emails at
www.metronews.ca.