Does the Metro need an "etiquette awareness campaign" or new rules on food?

* Can an "Etiquette Awareness Campaign" turn that stranger's stoic stare into a warm smile?
* Will lifting the food ban on the Metro transform rush hour into a trashy symphony of slurping sodas and rustling chip-bags?
* How does today's Metro compare to other systems, in terms of manners and cleanliness?

This summer, Metro General Manager John Catoe hopes that a "manners movement" will make subterranean travel a little more pleasant. But can a campaign really change the way commuters interact with each other? This Wednesday, Catoe joins us at our studios in Tenleytown, and takes your calls and emails. He'll also talk about Metro's new high-tech program to track local buses

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Permalink Reply by Jason Wire on June 2, 2009 at 5:16pm: In my more than fifteen years of living in Evansville, Indiana, I've never taken a bus. I can't even tell you what the acronym is for it, nor do I know anyone who has ever used it. Obviously, in anticipating my summer relocation to DC, the idea of an efficient, subterranean transportation to-and-from every epic monument and bustling borough was high on my list of Things to Be Excited About. When my sweet, dear grandmother said to me, "You're not gonna run off and become one of those Beltway Boys, are you?" I smiled and said, "Don't worry about me, grandma, I'll be a Metro Man."

I proceeded with a smile, FareCard-in-hand through the automatic turnstile which was far cooler looking than any other I'd seen. Where were the graffiti and beggars I recalled so well from my few visits to New York in the early nineties? Clearly, this was the utopia of public transportation. I spent zero time asking questions like, "How do I know which..." or "Where's the..." because there were helpful signs literally everywhere. Add to that the digital info marquees displaying how long until the train arrives, and my smile was as big as the trains' epic, cavernous domain.

The problem is, when I looked around with my big cheesy grin, everyone else seemed to be riding another train. I took a seat next to a stranger on a crowded Red Line and from the scoff he gave and the look on his face, you'd think I'd just asked him if he had a spare kidney. Later, commuting with a friend, we were the only people talking to each other, while the rest of the train either stared at the ground, the back of their eyelids, or passive-aggresively at us, then darting their glance away when our eyes met. I never felt so bad for having such a good time in public.

The Metro is fundamentally awesome. It's the cleanest and most efficient I've ever used, and I do like the fact that it's quiet and doesn't smell like stale Fritos or spilled Starbucks. However, if the locals can learn anything from me, I think it's how to master a fake smile: you've got to actually convince yourself your happy to see a stranger. More updates to come, perhaps when I can no longer count my metro rides on one hand.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Daniel Wolkoff on June 3, 2009 at 1:22pm: The door chime was a pleasent voice, and very simple and there was nothing wrong with it. Metro had a big contest to change it. Must have spent a lot of money. FINE but the new door chime is annoying with loud thumping music tone and obnoxious message. The stupid thing is repeated incessantly to close the doors. We want a Metro system with a brain! This makes the ride VERY unpleasent. Takes very little intelligence to do things nicely. Ettiquette program, Start With Yourself!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Max on June 3, 2009 at 1:23pm: I note Mr. Catoe did a great job totally dodging my question today. He somehow turned my complaint re: nowhere to exchange a bad smartcard into a sales pitch about more places to buy a new one.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Young, Sr on June 5, 2009 at 2:58am: I too am very frustrated with the lack of adherence to the policy of eating on the Metro. I use the bus and subway almost everyday of the week and am constantly confronted by all walks of people blatantly disregarding the law. In my opinion stricter enforcement of the law would send a greater message than asking people to do what is required by law. I have even had occasion to see Metro employees enjoying a snack or beverage on the bus or train. It is interesting to me that after one young lady (juvenile) was wrongly jailed for eating french fries we hear no more about enforcement of the law. Moreover, especially during the summer months, it seems (and this is only an observation) that many tourists partake of refreshment while in the system and I imagine Metro doesn't want to get the reputation of enforcing the law against our cash cow. So I guess I'm for enforcement not coersion because from my point of view, riders tend to ignore requests and respopnd to tickets!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on June 5, 2009 at 9:24pm: A few arrest should solve that problem. Metro needs to be very strict on food otherwise one of our sterling points (cleanliness) will go away.
Jeffrey Young, Sr said:
I too am very frustrated with the lack of adherence to the policy of eating on the Metro. I use the bus and subway almost everyday of the week and am constantly confronted by all walks of people blatantly disregarding the law. In my opinion stricter enforcement of the law would send a greater message than asking people to do what is required by law. I have even had occasion to see Metro employees enjoying a snack or beverage on the bus or train. It is interesting to me that after one young lady (juvenile) was wrongly jailed for eating french fries we hear no more about enforcement of the law. Moreover, especially during the summer months, it seems (and this is only an observation) that many tourists partake of refreshment while in the system and I imagine Metro doesn't want to get the reputation of enforcing the law against our cash cow. So I guess I'm for enforcement not coersion because from my point of view, riders tend to ignore requests and respopnd to tickets!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christopher on June 6, 2009 at 5:01pm: Not only a few arrests but a couple heavy fines that increase for repeat offenders. The fines should increase revenue a little bit since METRO definitely needs the extra cash!

John Antonelli said:
A few arrest should solve that problem. Metro needs to be very strict on food otherwise one of our sterling points (cleanliness) will go away.
Jeffrey Young, Sr said:
I too am very frustrated with the lack of adherence to the policy of eating on the Metro. I use the bus and subway almost everyday of the week and am constantly confronted by all walks of people blatantly disregarding the law. In my opinion stricter enforcement of the law would send a greater message than asking people to do what is required by law. I have even had occasion to see Metro employees enjoying a snack or beverage on the bus or train. It is interesting to me that after one young lady (juvenile) was wrongly jailed for eating french fries we hear no more about enforcement of the law. Moreover, especially during the summer months, it seems (and this is only an observation) that many tourists partake of refreshment while in the system and I imagine Metro doesn't want to get the reputation of enforcing the law against our cash cow. So I guess I'm for enforcement not coersion because from my point of view, riders tend to ignore requests and respopnd to tickets!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on June 6, 2009 at 5:22pm: AMEN brother. Remember Fawn Hall got locked up and that did wonders for the system. Chris Zimmerman (Metro Board) sticking up for the miscreant in the Payday incident against the Metro Police sent the wrong message to the riders and the police.

Christopher said:
Not only a few arrests but a couple heavy fines that increase for repeat offenders. The fines should increase revenue a little bit since METRO definitely needs the extra cash!

John Antonelli said:
A few arrest should solve that problem. Metro needs to be very strict on food otherwise one of our sterling points (cleanliness) will go away.
Jeffrey Young, Sr said:
I too am very frustrated with the lack of adherence to the policy of eating on the Metro. I use the bus and subway almost everyday of the week and am constantly confronted by all walks of people blatantly disregarding the law. In my opinion stricter enforcement of the law would send a greater message than asking people to do what is required by law. I have even had occasion to see Metro employees enjoying a snack or beverage on the bus or train. It is interesting to me that after one young lady (juvenile) was wrongly jailed for eating french fries we hear no more about enforcement of the law. Moreover, especially during the summer months, it seems (and this is only an observation) that many tourists partake of refreshment while in the system and I imagine Metro doesn't want to get the reputation of enforcing the law against our cash cow. So I guess I'm for enforcement not coersion because from my point of view, riders tend to ignore requests and respopnd to tickets!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karl on June 8, 2009 at 12:38pm: I would love for Metro to try the quiet train program where the final car is reserved for people who do not want a lot of talking and cell phone rings.
I love those rare occasions when I can enjoy my book on my way to the office without having to listen to a lot of conversations.
Some days ear plugs have worked for me. Though, they do nothing to block persistent loud mouths and ill behaved children.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Antonelli on June 8, 2009 at 12:58pm: Make it the first car (like Amtrak) so the driver is close by to enforce it

Karl said:
I would love for Metro to try the quiet train program where the final car is reserved for people who do not want a lot of talking and cell phone rings.
I love those rare occasions when I can enjoy my book on my way to the office without having to listen to a lot of conversations.
Some days ear plugs have worked for me. Though, they do nothing to block persistent loud mouths and ill behaved children.; ▶ Reply to This