Plaidophile

It often seems as if many people who use BART could use a bit of a reminder in how to keep the entire experience pleasant and efficient for everyone. If you keep a few simple things in mind, you can make it more pleasant for others, which in turn makes it more pleasant for yourself.

Of course, much of this also applies to other transit systems. Feel free to use the suitable parts accordingly.

Escalators

While an escalator's purpose is ostensibly for pure convenience, some people simply use them to cut down on the time it would otherwise take to go via the stairs. As such, if you intend to let the escalator do all the work, stand to the right (with any luggage in front of you) so that those who wish to go faster may pass you safely and easily to the left.

When you get to the end of the escalator, keep in mind that there are other people behind you as well. Don't simply stop when you reach the end — keep on moving at least as fast as the escalator, or move to the side to allow people behind you to keep on moving unobstructed.

Fare gates

The fare gates will normally have one of two indicators: a green circle with an upwards arrow, indicating that you may travel through it, and a red circle with a horizontal bar, indicating that it is closed. Only try to go through the upwards-arrow one. Some lower-traffic gates (such as handicap access gates) actually show "open" to both sides. Pay attention to whether someone is also coming through the gate from the other side.

Sometimes there is a long line leading up to the fare gates. Rather than simply shoving into a large mass on the way, try to get into a line leading to a gate. If there is a gate in the open state with no people going to it, consider starting a new line.

However, if there is already a line leading to a gate, don't try to cut in front. The line is there because other people have been waiting, too.

Also, please be ready with your ticket or EZRider card before it's time to actually go through the gate. Ideally you'll have it ready as soon as you get in line. Having to pause to retrieve your ticket at the last second only holds the line up and gets people angry.

The fare gate has a pretty long gap between its entry point and the gate itself. This leaves a lot of space for multiple people to crowd in. As tempting as this may be, don't do it. Sometimes peoples' tickets get rejected, due to insufficient fares, read errors, and so on. Crowding into a gate makes it difficult for people to back out in case there is a problem with their ticket.

Similarly, it may be tempting to try feeding the ticket in as soon as the person in front of you has entered, but again, don't do this. Some people use EZ Rider cards, and the reader for that is further along the gate than the ticket reader, and it is very easy for things to get out of order and confused; the potential 30-second delay and frustration caused isn't worth the potential half-second savings.

On the platform

Leave a clear pathway for people to walk along the platform. This makes it easier for people to move to less-crowded areas, and to get on the train at their optimal disembarkation point (which further reduces platform traffic on the other end and keeps things more efficient).

Don't stand in the yellow area. That safety zone is there for a reason.

Boarding and disembarking

When the train arrives, allow disembarking passengers to get off before you try to get on. It is easier for people to get on when there is room for them, and it is easier for people to get off when they're not blocked by people getting on. The train won't leave until all boarding is completed, so you don't have to shove your way on like your life depends on it.

If the train is extremely crowded, you may consider waiting for the next train; usually a crowded train takes longer and longer for the boarding process, which leads the next train to catch up anyway, and the next train will be much less crowded.

On the train

The cars are pretty long. If you expect to be on the train for a while, go ahead and move away from the doors; this makes the train a lot less crowded.

Let people who are trying to get off at the next stop move closer to the door. This makes the disembarking process go much more quickly.

When people are trying to get off, stay clear of the door area. If the train is crowded and you can't move out of the way, get off the train to allow people behind you to pass, and then get back on. The train won't leave without you.

If you're wearing a backpack and the car is crowded, consider taking the backpack off and keeping it between your feet. It's an easy way to make room for another passenger or two.

Bicyclists

The no-bicycles-on-escalators rule is there for a reason; I've seen people drop their bikes, causing a huge hazard for people below, and I've seen people turn while on the escalator, causing people on the opposite escalator or stair platform to get hit by the bike. Please take your bike either on the stairs or the elevator. It's a little slower, but that's still more than made up for by the fact you're riding a bike to and from the station.

Don't try to take a bike on the lead car. The conductor will not allow you to do that, and you'll only hold up the train.

Please don't take a bike onto a crowded car. A bike takes up about the same amount of space that three people can stand in.

When you take your bike through the fare gate, either make sure there is nobody going through the adjacent gates, or use the handicap access gates or the gate by the booth. Otherwise, you run the risk of smacking your bike into someone else's head (which is not a pleasant experience).

If you do accidentally hit someone with your bike, please recognize that you did so and apologize for it. You might also consider offering to buy them coffee or otherwise trying to make up for the pain and potential injury.

In general

Your fellow commuters are human beings with feelings too. If you're nicer to them, they'll be nicer to others, and eventually someone else will be nicer to you. Aggravation and anger spread faster than kindness. Do your part to make kindness win.