Looks like someone forgot to wear their Teflon coated shoes this morning

And just think, we get to pay more in fare in February and still endure this crap behaviour.

I know GO Transit customers feel Metrolinx should start fining for this infraction, but up in Ottawa, it's proven that despite signs that clearly state footriding is a $125 fine, this happens:

from:		Alex
to:		"cj@thiscrazytrain.com"
date:		Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 12:19 AM
subject:		Scourge of the Foot Riders Spreads (Hat-trick!)

CJ,

Living in Ottawa, I thought I was relegated to reading your blog to get my daily dose of donkey disobedience. Sure, Ottawa has the O-Train, even equipped with quad seating, but the average ride is only 7 minutes and the longest 20. There just isn't a huge incentive to put one's feet up on the seats, and the short trip makes the occasional bag rider a non-issue. Generally it's an enjoyable experience.

This all changed this week however. With the snow, suddenly everyone has the irresistible urge to wipe their slush covered feet off on the edge of the seat across from them. Getting pictures has been a bit of a trick, but I have finally managed to capture my greatest infraction yet. Of course it was a bit sunny but I think the picture shows it. Three girls (all wearing UGGs of course) were sitting in a quad. The girl that is closest to the camera was originally next to the girl in the green sweatshirt. Not visible in the picture is the third girl in the quad across the aisle, also with her feet on the seat next to hers. Also note the condition of the train floor, covered in salt and sand to be wiped off on the seats. I would normally place my backpack out of the way of the camera when taking a picture, but I didn't want to put it on the floor.

This third girl was originally sitting across from the other two, until she discovered the extreme comfort of sitting sideways with your feet squarely on the seat next to yours (there is no central armrest like the GO BiLevels, but there is one at the aisle). At this point she was kind enough to give up her seat and move to the (unfortunately) empty quad across the aisle, so her friends could join her in stretching out for the remainder of their journey. At this point the one in the green sweater decided to document this new position with a large camera, I assume so she can share it on Instagram later. Of course the other girl in the picture was also social and broke out her phone to take a photo of her friend with her feet up while taking a photo of her with her feet up.

This level of social media-ing was simply too much for me to handle and my stop was next so unfortunately I didn't see how this ended. I would bet that they never noticed the sticker between every window on the train though.

from:		C.J. Smith
to:		Alex
date:		Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 7:22 AM
subject:		Re: Scourge of the Foot Riders Spreads (Hat-trick!)

There is a FINE for putting feet on the seats!?
Can you tell me how this is enforced?
As for your story, I think my head exploded.

from:		Alex
to:		"C.J. Smith"
date:		Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 9:29 AM
subject:		RE: Scourge of the Foot Riders Spreads (Hat-trick!)

Apparently there is a fine, but I have never seen a ticket issued. Like GO (I think), OCTranspo has both Fare Inspectors and Special Constables. I have only ever seen the fare inspectors on the platforms, but once the Special Constables did come through the train to check tickets, and another time they just wandered past. I imagine they would be the ones to give the tickets, but I've never witnessed it. The only staff member always on the train is the driver, and they can't issue fines. I don't doubt that they would tell a foot rider off though if they ever saw it.

The good news is that there is a new plan in 2014 for the special constables to get out of their cars and actually ride the buses and trains (genius, I know). Hopefully this means more enforcement of the foot rule.

And yes, I wasn't sure how to tell the story clearly. I considered giving the three girls names to make it clearer, but in the end couldn't come up with enough good ones.