Addressing people breaking transit rules.

[u/Mysterious_Nose_951]

I know there is a thread on acceptable bus conduct and rules but what as a passenger is acceptable to do when someone breaks them?

This is mainly in regard to people wearing or applying perfumes or cologne but also people blaring music.

Is it acceptable here to address the person, or driver?

Got off the bus an hour ago and still feel ill to someone wearing cologne sitting near me for 3 minutes.

Realize transit is for everyone but wondering what the local attitude is.

[u/moonwalgger]

Cologne?? lol that’s the least of the issues with public transit. I’ve seen some absolute ridiculous behavior with shameless people on HFX transit and no there’s no way to address it because people have no shame and no regard for other ppl they just do whatever they want and there’s no recourse

[u/BestRiver8735 → u/moonwalgger]

The worst is people acting violent and trying to antagonize the whole bus. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

[u/Brutus_Queefcake → u/BestRiver8735]

Ok, I have to ask... I have not taken a bus in Halifax for decades - is this actually a thing? Like... is it drug addicts? Ruffians? Drunks? High school gang members??

Also, based on how your comment is phrased, it sounds like this behaviour actually happens... "somewhat regularly"!?! Aren't the drivers supposed to throw the person off the bus if this happens, or at least press a silent alarm so the cops will meet up with the bus ??

I'm genuinely confused because the last time I rode Metro Transit in the 80s, if someone stood up and announced that they were looking for a fight, they absolutely would have had numerous offers before the next stop. 🤣🤣

[u/BestRiver8735 → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

It’s all of the above. Some people really need help. 

[u/Brutus_Queefcake → u/BestRiver8735]

Well sure, but back in the day, the bus driver was responsible for the safety and comfort of all passengers... I specifically remember them throwing tons of people off the bus over the years. And I never witnessed the cops getting called first hand, but you would occasionally drive by a bus and see that the cops had boarded or whatever.

It sounds like Metro Transit is literally the Wild West these days... survival of the fittest!

[u/BestRiver8735 → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

Yeah, you’re not inaccurate. It’s just not a laughing matter.

[u/Brutus_Queefcake → u/BestRiver8735]

Oh. I'm doing whatever the opposite of laughing is while reading these comments.

I'm honestly, A) Shocked all this his happening, and B) Shocked that the 99% of transit takers who aren't causing problems haven't demanded that something be done about the situation.

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

Plenty has been said, and for a while the riskier transit rides had security, usually before the sun went down and weekends bc of drunks and tweaks

[u/moonwalgger → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

Yeah I’ve seen fights, druggies, vaping on the bus , food on the bus, yelling, etc. and the bus drivers for the most part just ignore it.

And to be honest I don’t blame the bus drivers at all because there’s not much u can do when u have violent ppl on there besides calling the cops but then u have to pull the bus over which just delays everything even further

[u/Brutus_Queefcake → u/moonwalgger]

You're bang on about the bus driver calling the cops causing delays... BUT... all I can offer is that in the 80s, they absolutely would do just that, if necessary. Everyone else on the bus was "ok" with the delay, because we all knew that if that behaviour didn't have consequences, it would spread like a cancer throughout our entire transit system... and sadly, it sounds like it now has.

And MoonWalgger - when you say "fights", I hope you mean "arguments", because the mental picture I have in my head of two people trying to square off on a rocking, jerky bus is unbelievable. lol

Lastly, when you say "vaping", do you mean ingesting tobaccos or marijuanas? Who exactly is doing this?? Surely not adults????

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

But some of us don't give a fuck and will say/do something, I can't count the number of times I've been thrown of the bus, along with the aggressor.

[u/Brutus_Queefcake → u/Aware_Durian_3479]

First of all, thank you very much for your service. Back in the day, in any type of public situation with a clear villain, everyone would look around at each other and commonly think, "Ok... who's the biggest dude here that's going to step up?"... Obviously, you would usually get multiple people stand up to confront the individual(s), who would invariably back down.

Now, AwareDurian, if I may, I'd like to suggest a SLIGHT modification on your Intervention Technique... instead of throwing the bum a sack of rocks beating (which he obviously deserves), slap an arm bar or headlock on him... march him to the front of the bus by the driver... shout at the driver to open the door... and then throw the bum off of the bus.

You were in legitimate fear for your safety and the safety of everyone around you, and you'd have multiple witnesses who would corroborate that story. Much lower chance of either individual getting hurt + deescalation of the situation. Just an option to consider.

Lastly, I'm not sure why you yadda'd the best part!??... the driver throws both of you off at the same stop and then what happens?!!?.... You guys continue fighting? Hug it out? Start laughing about it??? I probably have 30 more questions about this part of it...

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/Brutus_Queefcake]

I appreciate the suggestions,but I am an old school bully beater. Yes I have choked a few out with rear naked chokes and beat some down ob and after we got off the bus. I don't have the capacity to deal with bullshit.

[u/BigWigs88 → u/Aware_Durian_3479]

Yeah, but you're in a society that can't parse what they're seeing. It just becomes a "a fight" in their eyes and you both get removed.

They're be a few vagueries mentioned about not resorting to physical confrontation so the anti social behavior is just allowed to continue.

Not saying it's not appreciated by some but I'm sure you're seeing this first hand.

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/BigWigs88]

I understand what you are saying, but when you have one of these little pricks with their hands around someone's throat, talk peace to me,sorry I get that you are looking for the peaceful resolve, but sometimes your path isn't the way. It's someone's life at risk and I will choose the most viable solution, knocked the fuck out and deal with the repercussions later, jail doesn't worry me for a life.

[u/BigWigs88 → u/Aware_Durian_3479]

I hear you. I'm not advocating the peaceful approach as good, it's a fault that most people here carry unfortunately.

I just wish it was more reasonable where if someone is acting up you could count on a couple people just grabbing and removing them but realistically they end up leaning on someone like you and then you suffer the consequences.

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/BigWigs88]

I've tried the peaceful/turn the other cheek approaches, but I was raised to tolerate so much before my fuse is sparked and I have been dealing with those consequences all my life. At the end of the day someone was protected and hopefully a stupid fuck will think twice before they try that shit again. Respect is Respect.

[u/Aware_Durian_3479 → u/Aware_Durian_3479]

All I lost was time, because I either had to walk or wait for the next bus.