A Sydney train passenger sparks widespread agreement by calling out riders who keep backpacks on during peak hours, turning crowded carriages into obstacles.
Backpack Frustrations Escalate on Busy Trains
One commuter demands, ‘Take your backpack off!’ in an online forum post. The rider notes that adults, not just students, wear backpacks on packed trains, occupying extra space. This hinders movement, delays boarding and alighting, and leads to unwanted contact in full carriages.
New Metro trains exacerbate the problem, according to riders. ‘Just take your damn bag off, you inconsiderate jerks!’ the post concludes.
Fellow passengers quickly echo the sentiment. ‘OMG amen,’ one replies. Another shares, ‘I almost got a black eye the other day from someone who’d apparently stuffed their backpack with bricks before standing next to me.’
Riders emphasize removing backpacks to avoid accidental bumps during jolts. ‘It’s about consideration for others and making room in the limited space available, which ultimately makes it a more enjoyable trip for everyone,’ one explains. Others decry ‘main character energy’ and a ‘lack of civic culture.’
Alternatives include holding bags in front, on the side, or near the legs—without placing them on the floor.
NSW Transport Launches Etiquette Campaign
Recent NSW Transport initiative, ‘The Creatures of Transport,’ targets such behaviors. It features ‘The Space Hog,’ who bumps others with backpacks. The campaign states, ‘Public transport is for everyone. Being considerate is simple, but it makes a world of difference. Let’s make every journey better by offering a seat, moving to make room, and being kind to others.’
‘Public transport is for all of us. When we are kind and thoughtful, the ride is better for everyone,’ the website adds.
Bags Claiming Seats Spark More Ire
Forum users also condemn placing bags on empty seats during busy times. ‘I make a point of asking them to move it so I can sit,’ one declares. Others advise keeping bags on laps if seated or being aware of surroundings when trains fill up.
Boarding Chaos: No Waiting for Alighters
Debates extend to passengers boarding before others exit. ‘Do people in Sydney not understand that you have to WAIT for people to disembark before you try to ram yourself onto the train?’ one vents, resonating with hundreds.
‘Thank god someone else said it,’ a reply reads. Many note a decline in common-sense etiquette. The NSW campaign calls this ‘The Blocker,’ who obstructs doorways. It urges, ‘Allow people to board and exit without obstruction.’
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes states that failing to wait for commuters to disembark counts as ‘disrespectful and inconsiderate behaviour.’ She adds, ‘It makes the whole process unpleasant, not to mention impractical. It simply makes sense from a smooth process perspective to wait back or step back, let commuters disembark, then proceed to board the train.’
