On Wed, 09 Feb 2005 14:40:06 +0000, Dave Newt
wrote:

Mrs Redboots wrote:
They've had them on the Paris Metro since the year dot - certainly back
in the days of the old Sprague trains. I'm actually surprised they
haven't been introduced here until relatively recently. In the Metro,
there are great signs telling you not to use them during the rush hours
or when the train is busy

and, importantly, people *do*!!!

They also let people off first before getting on; when on, stand aside
to let people off; sometimes even step off temporarily to let people off!

And they do all this with no announcements!

I think this is largely a self enforcing cultural thing. The trains have
had such seats for so long and the "rules" are so well understood that
it is accepted as decent behaviour.

How different to here, where the same old mantra is repeated 6 times at
almost every station, and is routinely ignored.

Well yes but I have to say that the constant exhortations to "do this,
do that, breath in, breath out, this line is running, this one isn't,
don't leave your bag" drive me crazy even though there are good reasons
for making the announcements. Some stations achieve a balance but the
odd one doesn't and a wait of more than two minutes can mean you hear a
stream of noise over and over again.

Oh and if the new Vic Line trains are to have fewer seats than now then
there will be even bigger fights to push onto the trains to get a seat.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!