Metriquette, Part 2: A Few Rules for Civility

But I haven't given up the Metro for good. There are lots of great things about D.C.'s Metro system. In his discussion message on Part 1, he mentions how much quicker Metro can be than Washington's snarled traffic, how much work you can get done if you have an extended train ride, and how much less stress the Metro can bring to a DC-area commuter's life than a daily single-driver car commute.

I agree with a lot of what Bill has to say, but I don't always find the Metro to be the stress-free joy that he describes. Maybe it's just human nature to fend for one's self, but I think on public transportation systems, every person needs to think at least a little about the other riders. After all, it's a group exercise in traffic control, and there are rules that must be followed.

Those rules are what I call "Metriquette." It's a simple system of behavior—not overly friendly, but definitely civil—and I know I'm not the only one who would feel better about the Metro system if people were following these rules. Metriquette Parts 2 and 3 will cover some of the basic rules that make the Metro a better subway to ride.

1. Stand on the right, walk on the left.
When you're on the escalator, you can choose to walk or just take a relaxing ride to the top or bottom. While official Metro policy states that you should walk and keep one hand on the handrail at all times, Washington DC is full of Type A, intensely focused people who think they need to get wherever they're going before anyone else. I don't condone the behavior, but you can make it a lot easier for these people by standing as far to the right as you can so they can get by. Be comfortable—there's plenty of room for two people to stand or walk next to each other on the escalators, so you don't need to scrunch yourself into the escalator wall if you choose to stand. But do decide one way or the other, and never just stand on the left.

2. Let the people off the train before you get on.
Often, particularly during rush hour, you'll notice that the train operator has stuck his or her head out the window of the front car. The driver's not just looking for some fresh air. He or she is watching to make sure everyone gets on the train safely. You're not going to get stuck on the platform unless the train is abnormally crowded, so when the train pulls in, step back and let the people in the train off before trying to get on. Having trouble waiting? Try a few deep (very deep) breaths to calm yourself and bolster your patience. The exiting/boarding process is so much smoother when people follow this simple rule.

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