Ride respectfully on the LTC
You see it all the time: teenagers, people
your age or able-bodied strangers ignoring
those who require courtesy seating or priority
seating on the bus. What many people
overlook is this overwhelming gratitude that
these people who need the seating have
when someone gives up their seat for them.
Why is it that they're so grateful for something
that is common courtesy? It's because
it's few and far between when someone
actually gives them the courtesy.
What drives this arrogance? Self-importance, laziness, or perhaps the simple lack of education about the issue. There are over 200 buses in the fleet, and over 18 million passengers per year ride the London Transit Commission busses. Of these passengers, many are elderly, pregnant, are riding with young children or need assistance to move around and require the courtesy and priority seating far more than others.
Here are a few things that may change your mind when you're considering remaining in your seats, and someone who needs it most stands:
- It is YOUR responsibility to decide to move. It is not the bus driver's responsibility to move you.
- If someone pregnant or elderly falls, they may be injured or worse.
- Just because there are an average of six priority seats and two courtesy seats on each bus does not mean that the other seven people will stand up and do the right thing.
"Ride respectfully" is not a term that should be used lightly, and here are some respectful tips:
- Take off your backpack when you enter the bus. Many backpacks take room away from those who could have potentially boarded the bus. Instead, place your backpack at your feet.
- When you notice someone who may need your seat more than you do, regardless of whether you are in priority or courtesy seating, please give up your seat.
- Pay special attention to pregnant women. Giving a pregnant woman a seat will give her a rest and potentially prevent injury to the woman or her baby.
- Try to keep speaking at a normal volume. Yelling can make the bus ride unpleasant for other riders.
- If you are intoxicated and you know you act out when you are, take a taxi.
- Understand that children cannot reach the bars to stand up on the bus. You are probably able to stand with more ease than a child can on the bus. Give up your seat to children.
The last piece of advice is that if you would appreciate someone giving up their seat when you need it, you must give the same courtesy. Ride respectfully.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
What drives this arrogance? Self-importance, laziness, or perhaps the simple lack of education about the issue. There are over 200 buses in the fleet, and over 18 million passengers per year ride the London Transit Commission busses. Of these passengers, many are elderly, pregnant, are riding with young children or need assistance to move around and require the courtesy and priority seating far more than others.
Here are a few things that may change your mind when you're considering remaining in your seats, and someone who needs it most stands:
- It is YOUR responsibility to decide to move. It is not the bus driver's responsibility to move you.
- If someone pregnant or elderly falls, they may be injured or worse.
- Just because there are an average of six priority seats and two courtesy seats on each bus does not mean that the other seven people will stand up and do the right thing.
"Ride respectfully" is not a term that should be used lightly, and here are some respectful tips:
- Take off your backpack when you enter the bus. Many backpacks take room away from those who could have potentially boarded the bus. Instead, place your backpack at your feet.
- When you notice someone who may need your seat more than you do, regardless of whether you are in priority or courtesy seating, please give up your seat.
- Pay special attention to pregnant women. Giving a pregnant woman a seat will give her a rest and potentially prevent injury to the woman or her baby.
- Try to keep speaking at a normal volume. Yelling can make the bus ride unpleasant for other riders.
- If you are intoxicated and you know you act out when you are, take a taxi.
- Understand that children cannot reach the bars to stand up on the bus. You are probably able to stand with more ease than a child can on the bus. Give up your seat to children.
The last piece of advice is that if you would appreciate someone giving up their seat when you need it, you must give the same courtesy. Ride respectfully.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
