Commuters, conductors, rejoice
Sometimes it’s shocking to learn something hasn’t existed forever.
Consider the Metra Board of Directors’ new Passenger Code of Conduct, which spells out clearly the sorts of behavior that anyone who enters a train (or station, for that matter) must avoid.
And it comes with teeth: If you are found to run afoul of the rules, your riding privileges could be suspended, your pass confiscated.
That a code of conduct for public transportation is needed is a sad commentary on society. But that it’s been needed for a long time explains some of the things we’ve seen go unpunished.
The blame doesn’t fall on Metra. The state legislature only last year passed a law allowing transit agencies to make such rules. Metra acted quickly to create the code.
This is not for minor things, such as talking loudly, being messy and eating smelly food that merely annoys other passengers. It’s for dangerous stuff.
The list includes threatening or physically intimidating others (with or without a weapon), pushing, hitting or kicking others, throwing things at people, spitting on someone, sexually assaulting someone and the broader category of committing acts of public indecency.
Most are criminal offenses; others could rise to that standard.
Metra has its own police force and a hearing process for anyone who is found to contravene the rules. Offenders cannot be prohibited from using Metra trains until the hearing process is completed.
But the imposition of a new code is welcome news to conductors.
“No transit employee should have to face an individual who has spit in their face, threatened their life, placed their hands on them or physically assaulted them. With Metra's new Code of Conduct, those acts, along with others, will now be cause for someone to lose riding privileges, and repeated offenses can, and should, lead to lengthy suspensions,” said Bob Guy, state director for the SMART Transportation Division, the Metra conductors union. “We thank Metra for working with SMART-TD on this new policy and will look forward to its enforcement to help with the safety and security of not only our members, but also the valued customers of Metra.”
In another win for the public, Metra’s board this week decided to permanently allow bicycles on all trains in cars designated with a bicycle logo. It will build more racks for greater capacity. During the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership was low, allowances were made for bikes. That encouraged more riders to do it, officials said.
One way to encourage more commuter rail travel — and this is Job 1 for Metra — is to make it safer and more convenient for potential passengers.
These are two strong steps in that direction.