[nagdu] crowded trains

Nicole B. Torcolini at Home ntorcolini at wavecable.com
Wed Feb 29 17:33:18 UTC 2012


Before I give my answer, do you actually feel safer/more comfortable if you 
are sitting?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9:04 AM
Subject: [nagdu] crowded trains


> Hi List,
>
>
>
> An interesting situation to talk about. I am a student at Temple 
> University
> in Philadelphia and live outside of the metro Philly area. This means that
> when I go to school I am riding the SEPTA regional rail system. During the
> day when I ride to school the trains are usually not crowded. Its in the
> evening during rush hour that the train is so crowded its standing room
> only. I usually get the same train in the evenings, so some of the people
> are use to me by now. I try to get on the same car but this is hard as the
> platforms are long and the train might pull up to different places. When I
> get on, I know its crowded, and I am okay with standing. But usually 
> another
> passenger insists on them getting up and I sitting down. Some days I need
> this as the motion of the train makes my vertigo worse, but most days I
> don't need to sit. I have told other riders that it is not necessary for 
> me
> to sit down. I do always have Emma with me. I have never had anyone be 
> upset
> that Emma is lying on their feet because it is crowded.
>
>
>
> So I guess my questions are: If its crowded on a train, bus, or whatever, 
> do
> you stand? How do you make other riders less insistent to get up and give 
> up
> their seat?
>
>
>
> Perhaps its my pride that doesn't like others giving up their seat. 
> Perhaps
> I think if they get up and give me their seat, I am needy and helpless, 
> and
> that poor blind girl that can't stand. Its uncomfortable to say the least. 
> I
> know people are trying to be nice and polite, and I always Thank them for
> the gesture. And even the car conductor has insisted that a passenger or 
> two
> gets up to give me a seat or room for my pup. Like I said these are
> typically conductors who do not know me. Really truly and honestly I am 
> okay
> with standing. It's an express train, so for the first 7 stops it does not
> stop, and at the first stop a huge lot of people get off.
>
>
>
> What would you do? How would you handle this?
>
>
>
> Ideas, comments, are welcome. Also, it is not an option that I take an
> earlier train or a later train. As the earlier one I am in class and the
> later doesn't leave my campus for another hour, this is the last of the 
> rush
> hour trains.
>
>
>
> Your help is appreciated,
>
> Marsha
>
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