From "M" on the Red Line:At approximately 8:35 a.m. yesterday morning, I was on a train to Shady Grove heading into work. At Takoma Park, a woman with a rolling suitcase began to board the train. It had rained overnight, so the platform was wet and slippery. As she headed in, she tripped and fell quite hard on the platform. She looked to be in pain, and both passengers inside the train and outside came to her aid. She was visibly upset and clutching her wrist.
A passenger on the platform was waving to the conductor to not close the doors and to wait. From where I was sitting, it appeared that part of her had landed partially in the doorway, so I wasn't surprised that one of the inside passengers attempted to hold the door open when the chimes rang that they were closing. Frantically, the passenger on the platform pulled the woman out of the doorway just as they were closing.
As the train pulled out of the station, the conductor angrily announced over the intercom that "passengers are advised that no matter what, do not block the doors from closing. Ever." This "announcement" elicited more than a few middle fingers and "what the hell?" grumblings from the passengers in my car who were simply trying to help an injured woman.
I am completely at a loss as to why this conductor handled this situation SO poorly. I have no idea if the women hit her head, or suffered any other injury where having to move her that quickly could have injured her further. Conductors have a responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and respond appropriately. Today, they did not.
Perhaps they were ogling again.
Other news:
Just when you thought federal funding was looking good... (WTOP) We disagree with the writer saying the federal funding "would" fix Metro's problems. We would have gone with "could."
Dulles Rail gets stim $ (WTOP)
Wow! I wish this was surprising. But given the way Metro employees interact with the public, this is not surprising at all.
ReplyDeleteHas someone reported this? I know it takes time and they often don't listen, but if enough people do enough bitching--eventually they'll have to address it--especially if more of Metro employee stupidity is published for all the world to see.
ReplyDeleteI always snap a quick picture on my phone if something is not right, or take notes of situations that can't be photographed so I can send them a flagrant e-mail. Maybe I have too much free time :-/
@anon#2 We'd love to see your pics/hear your stories.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to forward this to Metro. That conductor should be on probation -- he could have dragged that woman. How stupid.
ReplyDeleteIf the doors closed on the woman then they could not have closed all the way and the train could not have left the station. This is one instance where the the train not being able to leave until all the doors were closed is a good thing. The woman was not in danger of being dragged. The train would have done its job, too bad the conductor was an asshat and didn't pay attention.
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