awaiting the Red Line train at Gallery Place when my train pulled into
the station. It was about 8:20 PM.
I was in line to enter the last door of the last car. The platform
was not crowded, for some reason it took a long time for disembarking
passengers to do so. There were not many, but they were slow andsome
were confused and got back on.
Only about 4-5 people got through my door when the door closed. Other
groups to my right also said that only a few, or NONE, of those
waiting got into their cars. I could see that the last three cars
headed out towards Metro Center with very few people.
15 minutes later another train arrives. I position myself close to a
door further "up" the platform. Once again, the driver began
announcing the door closing after only about six passengers had passed
through my door! Suddenly the crowd surged on. I and maybe ten more
were swept on, the last few seemed to be holding the doors open.
Then the driver has the nerve to sternly admonish us and those on the
platforms to use all available doors. I can't say what was happening
in the front cars, but two different drivers were only allowing a
small fraction of those on the platform(s) to get thru doors at the
back of the train.
I suppose it's possible the drivers figure out that if, for example,
48 people are waiting and train has 18 doors, then drivers will allow
only enough time for three passengers to board through any one door.
Perhaps this is a new cost-cutting measure? But, I don't see how
annoying riders will help.
__________________________
Sent from Don's Phone.
Donald A. MacKay
