The open space by the doors is for bikes and there are usually bikes or scooters there.
Across the door from the bikes (dark lines) is a luggage rack.
If no one is taking the two wheelchair spots, benches fold down facing the bike area.
The seats at each end face left. For the seats in the middle, the ones on the left face left, while the ones on the right face right.
1 Like
What he said 
5 Likes
First choice, in rear as already mentioned.
Second choice, by fire extinguisher and emergency tools (possible weapons).
Extra thoughts. Use emergency windows as last resorts. They are heavy. Itās a long way down compared to the doors, and if you are on ballast, that is even worse.
7 Likes
In my car.
2 Likes
The first or second seat from the door facing the door in the front or the back facing the rest of the train for seeing what is going on. It can be entertaining at times.
3 Likes
I rode the El for a decade, it have to plan out where to sit/stand otherwise you will not be able to get off at your stop due to the flood of people getting on.
The Bus, different story, eyes on a swivel constantly
4 Likes
I rode Trax for several years. I liked a seat that either put my back against the end wall of the car or at least a seat where anyone getting behind me had to walk past me so I could evaluateā¦
3 Likes
Also near the āend doorā if I was going to be sitting on that train. Otherwise Iād be standing somewhere in the vicinity of the side doors, looking at whoās on the platform at each stop, and potentially changing where I stand based on who would be coming in which door.
I rode a train to/from work on and off for many years. The platforms were fairly consistent in terms of which side of the train they would be on. And I had most of the stops dialed in, in terms of where the riffraff got on and off. In the mornings, Iād look around at all the passengers when boarding and I got pretty good at determining who would be getting off at the stop nearest the probation office. I think they must have given them free passes for the train.
And most of the crime took place on the platforms, not on the train. To me, that was the high risk part of the commute. There were a lot of people commuting to/from work so most commuters were carrying laptops & cell phones that were targets of theft, sometimes at knife point or gun point. And one stop seemed to be a magnet for a lot of drug activity where people were regularly being shot or stabbed. I never understood why that whole city block didnāt have constant police presence.
3 Likes
End door or next to fire ext / tools. I want to see everyone coming in or out. I am a senior and do not use a cane, but I would probably have a cane as an auxiliary defensive tool in a tight, enclosed space. Canes can be useful (both ends), give you the advantage of distance (length of the cane) and might be just the tool to knock someone off balance long enough to subdue them. Also, not many question a man with a cane (you can always fake a limp). And no, I am not talking some James Bond type cane with a sword inside. I am talking about a stout piece of ash, oak or similar wood with serious stopping power. Open carry at its best.
3 Likes
My choice would have more to do with my assessment of potential threats already on the train. The layout would be my second consideration.
Ideally I could find a spot that keeps me as far away from potential trouble makers as possible but still gives me easy access to exits (preferably more than one) as well as good sight lines to see who is coming and going.
Assuming no potential threats are there, the back of the car in this case seems like a good choice. It provides an exit option if trouble starts in the car you are in. Though it could be difficult to see trouble approaching from the next car back before it walks through the door. .
2 Likes
While the front of the train has toolsā¦ Iād still sit in the back primarily because the majority of the chairs face the front of the train. Iād like to see all I can rather than be next to tools and see nothing behind me.
2 Likes
I must ask, Those of you and Iām one, that have or do use mass transit on a regular basis.
Do you feel safe and comfortable on a train or bus? Do you see crimes occur on a regular basis while on and around mass transit vehicles and stations?
I am Not Comfortable while on Trax, Iām Condition RED from the time I can see the train ramp until the time I canāt see the train ramp.
1 Like
From riding mass transit bus/EL compared to driving out here on the West side of the country I would feel much safer on the bus/El than on the roads with the White plates. TikTok drivers.
1 Like
I used to ride the bus everywhere. Now, rarely if ever. I primarily walk everywhere (I am an avid power walker), even to the nearby grocery. I am a huge believer in power walking and carrying light loads to keep in shape. Even so, about every minute or so, I turn around and look behind me (180 degrees), continuing at the same pace walking backward. Not only does this reveal anyone approaching, but also lets those behind know I know they are there and I am in shape and not to be messed with. Florida might not be as crazy as some places, but it is crazy enough. This is no time to let your guard down, no matter where you are (restaurant, train, bus, church, park, etcā¦).
1 Like
Suspect public transit is safer than driving down the highway, statistically speaking. Especially with all the crazy drivers where I often work in SoCal!
But I prefer being the captain of my own ship and having the ability to at least try to avoid the crazies instead of being trapped in an enclosed area with them.
I avoid public transit as best as possible. I probably average maybe one trip a year. I have never observed a criminal acts (aside from all the videos on the internet) but almost always see one or more people I would prefer not be stuck in an enclosed space with.
2 Likes
The reference to enclosed spaces is exactly right. Exits that do exist will likely be clogged with panicked people. I also do not fly unless necessary. I flew thousands of miles in the fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties, and it was often a pleasant experience. These days, it is the pits as far as service, customer relations, quality of service, and cost, not to mention the totalitarian regime inside the airport. You lose most of your rights the moment you walk in the door. You can be arrested for disagreeing with some bozo in a uniform going through your bag or shaking you down. Not worth it. Victor Davis Hanson says he has been on more than one flight where there was a ānear missā from pilot error. Hiring standards for pilots and flight crew have been lowered as in other industries. Not for me. Iāll drive or walk unless there is absolutely no other alternative for long-distance travel. In that case: train first, Greyhound second, plane third.
2 Likes
By the way! No, firearms are not allowed on trains.
1 Like
I would never ride one of these things in America. In Hong Kong,? Yes. In Russia? Yes. America? Uh, uh.
Gross.
But if I had to ride one here, Iām with the fire extinguisher and tools, too. And Iām definitely CCW.
My trusty Honda Civic, my Jones LWB w/ truss fork, my feet and legsātake me everywhere I need go.
Flying anywhere in Anerica anymore is just a dreadful ordeal.
1 Like