[nagdu] crowded trains

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Marsha.
I understand your dilemma.  I don't mind standing on a city bus, if it's
crowded.  I make Ben stand next to a seat, so I'm between him and the
crowd.
If someone offers, I say No thanks.  If they insist, I might give in,
though.  And if I'm taking the train, and only going a short way, I always
stand, whether people insist or not.
I try not to let it worry me, either way.  If it seems right in the moment
to stand, I stand.  If someone is insisting on giving up their seat for
me, I might take it, or not, depending on how I feel or how far I'm going.
Tracy

> 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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>
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