GO Transit combats loud-talkers, feet on seats with etiquette campaign
Sometimes unwritten rules need to be laid out.
GO Transit is taking aim at riders breaking implicit public transit conventions in its new etiquette campaign.Â
Loud-talkers and feet on seats top the list of behaviours that peeve GO Transit riders, according to the transit agency.
"Most of our customers, they follow etiquette rules," said Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins.
"We're Canadian after all," she said.
But the agency has fielded an increasing number of complaints related to rider behaviour over the last few years.
"We don't have enough staff to police every floor of every train of every trip," Aikins said.
The hope is that riders will feel empowered to address rude or inappropriate behaviour, she said, rather than "seethe silently or be confrontive."Â
The campaign officially gets underway next week and will include posters on GO Transit's fleet of vehicles. The hashtag #etiquettefail was launched alongside it but Aikins advises against public-shaming.
"I don't think that really changes behaviour," she said.
In November, GO Transit increased its fines for offences such as putting feet up on seats.Â
Transit riders love to rant about their rude counterparts. These were among your horror stories.
Massive backpacks
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> people who don't take their massive backpacks off so other people can't get on crowded vehicles
—@djcrossbreezeNail-clipping (hands — and feet)
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> worst I saw on a Go Train was someone clipping nails - hands and feet - so gross - I moved to another car.
—@JamesWRLintonFeet or belongings on seat
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> people feet or backpacks on scarce seats Ggrr
—@LoriDeafRushing the doors
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> those who rush the doors of the transit vehicle to push their way on before anyone can exit.
—@eltirolibreFlossing?!
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> flossing on the train - <a href="https://t.co/gVjtEafhc3">https://t.co/gVjtEafhc3</a>. 😓
—@AmenaRajwaniLoud talking
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> Yesterday. 504 King EB. 20-something young woman loudly on phone re: her new job in a club. Every 2nd word was f**king. Shut up!
—@atelierivaan'Manspreading'
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> crossing the legs and extending legs beyond their seat!!! touching your co passenger is personal and disrespectful,..
—@sathishkerEating earwax?!
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCToronto">@CBCToronto</a> I once saw someone on the streetcar pick their ear and eat it-it was horrifying. Clipping nails drives me crazy-so gross.
—@robindesjardins