POLL: Should the MBTA Crack Down on 'Seat Hogs'?
Riders are calling out for other passengers to be penalized for taking up too much space.
A number of frustrated MBTA riders have recently urged Transit Police to take action against passengers who take up extra space on crowded trains and buses, according to a Boston Herald report Monday.
The main issue, according to disgruntled riders, is with passengers who take up an extra seat with a back pack, umbrella or other parcel. Unlike New York City, where "seat hogs" are fined $50 for taking up extra space, no such fee is enforced in Boston, according to the Boston Herald.
But what if Transit Police did start cracking down on such passengers? Do you think those passengers should be fined? Let us know in today's poll and submit your thoughts in the comments section below.
Linda
12:10 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
With the high price of gas ridership is up and you still get "those entitled persons" who feel their belongings need a seat. My attitude is if you want your bags, luches, etc. to sit on the seat pay for two seats.
Avon Barksdale
4:25 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Um, travel in cars is subsidized by the government. I don't remember the last time I bought a road or a bridge outright. Or paid for police to give out $50 traffic tickets.
KD
6:18 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Does a simple "Is this seat taken?" not work?
Alexis de Tocqueville
6:27 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
But KD, that would require me to actually interact with the person. Surely there must be a website I could update, tweet or email I could send, or even number I could call? Or SOMEONE ELSE could intervene on my behalf?
When I see something, I want to say something, just not directly. What if they get mad at me??
:)
/sarcasm
gbc
7:32 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
REALLY! I commuted on the T for years and when the only seat available was occupied by someone's backpack I asked them, nicely, to remove it, as in, "Excuse me (smile). I'd like to sit down. Would you mind moving your backpack? Thanks". No one EVER refused. Be nice, speak up. that's all it takes.
Alexis de Tocqueville
6:25 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Avon, nothing is subsidized by the government. The government has no money. The taxpayers subsidize public transportation. To some extent, general fund taxes ARE used to supplement the excise taxes and fuel taxes that drivers pay to maintain the roads. And at one time, general fund taxes paid for some of the roads to be built. But rarely has the car in general been subsidized, outside of the hybrid, electric-car, and cash-for-clunkers programs.
And yes, we do pay for police to write tickets. We the people decide to give up more of our money to a central authority to hire people to write tickets.
It may just be the case that doing so is revenue positive, and possibly a good idea.
Colin P. Varga
12:58 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Owning a car is usually not subsidized, but using one on anything other than a dirt road is. Also, car driver's benefit from public transportation. If every rider on a bus or train drove a car rush "hour" would probably start at 4:30am and end around 10am. The price of gas would probably be closer to $10 a gallon, more taxes for road repairs and the men needed to work around the clock 24/7/365, causing delays, etc. However, the good news would be insurance rates would probably go down because cars would be traveling below walking speed.
Stefanie Cloutier
6:59 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Actually, it's ALL taxpayer money, as the government is funded by us. So we all pay. I don't ride the MBTA regularly, but as a matter of courtesy, when the car is crowded, seats should be for paying customers and not baggage. Everyone should understand that.
LC
8:57 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
While all the information above is very interesting, taking up a seat with a backpack is just plain RUDE! Shame on the people who lack the common curtiousy to allow a fellow rider to sit down!
Matt
3:49 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
We do pay the police but that's usually a safety issue. To ask the government to get involved with policing your inconveniences what's next? "Pardon me sir but you have 14 items in that cart. At $50/item that's a $100 fine."
Malcolm Hamilton
3:56 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
It is difficult to enforce courtesy!
Malcolm Hamilton
3:57 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
You can't enforce courtesy.
Avon Barksdale
4:13 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Apparently, none of the auto manufacturers have received government bailouts. I'll have to look into that.
Tim
3:21 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Just got off train and it was packed..if anyone was hogging a space someone without a seat would just say "excuse me" and start sitting down..worked great and I loved it. These hogs need to be embarrassed and made to put their crap on the overhead space or on the floor.
quasimodo
5:48 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
@Tim,
Why so aggressive? Even "hogs" can be made to be reasonable. I've had the same experiences as Ms. Chasan, with NO exception. On several occasions, there was not even a backpack on the seat, just a crowded bench-seat with the "hog" spread out physically. The "excuse me" worked each time.