The Chronicle reported on BART's "upstreamers," or riders who travel a few stations in the opposite direction of their commute just to make sure they snag a seat for the long ride home. The writer claims upstreamers generally live in East Bay cities like Fremont and Pleasanton and work in downtown SF. On their way home,they'll backtrack from Powell or Montgomery to Civic Center station so they can ensure that the rest of their ride is spent sitting, working on their laptops, and taking a load off without getting squeezed in those ever-crowded trains. BART even has its own word for this commuter strategy – they call it "backriding," and they've been seeing more of it as the number of commuters rises (transbay ridership has increased 12% in the last two years, says the transit agency).
As someone who BARTs into San Francisco from Oakland, I've definitely noticed the different strategies people use for their commute. Some of them are more successful (and polite) than others. These are the nicknames that I've created for their crafty and crass methods:
The Timetabler
This person knows the exact times that BART is supposed to arrive and depart, and how long their journey will take. Their savant public transit knowledge makes their commutes enviably efficient. Timetablers are good people to know if you're new to BART, but you don't want to be next to one when their train is late or broken because they'll have a major freakout.
The Runner
Runners frantically try to make it onto whatever train is just about to leave them. They're also the people who get their arms, bags, and legs caught in BART doors, and cause drivers to make angry announcements about not blocking or prying open closing doors. Runners can sometimes become fallers.
The Middler
This commuter believes that moving towards the middle of a crowded train is the best method for eventually getting a seat. They know that sitting closer to the door makes it more likely that they'll need to vacate their spot for someone who's pregnant, disabled, or elderly, so they inch their way towards empty seats they won't have to give up later.
The Stander
Sitting is for chumps, says the Stander. They believe that it's a waste of time and energy to fight for a seat, and BART chairs are hotbeds of mystery stains, sick germs, maybe even bed bugs, anyway. You'll often find them leaning against a wall when bikes or wheelchairs aren't in their trains because this position requires the least movement. When there isn't a wall, Standers know that positioning themselves sideways is the best way to keep balance in lurching trains.
The Shorty
People who are just a few inches (or more) shy of comfortably reaching the hanging handrails in trains. They're ... we're the ones trying to jockey ourselves next to poles, those hanging fabric straps, seats with handgrips, or next to walls, so we can grab on in case the train stops short. Shorties are OK with standing, but would usually prefer a seat!
The Cutter
The person who immediately pushes their way onto the train, not only cutting in front of everyone who's been lined up already, but pushing past riders who are trying to get off too.
The Door Wo/man
Like the Cutter, the Door Woman or Man is annoying. They stand right in the doorway of the train, and don't move for people who are getting on or off. They either can't be bothered to move back or insist on standing right there because their stop is "coming up soon."
The Asshole
That person who isn't disabled, elderly, or pregnant but remains sitting when someone who is disabled, elderly, or pregnant doesn't have a seat.
[Photo by Terrence_N via Flickr]
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