🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <g1t%6.45613$Md.14357941@typhoon.southeast.rr.com>, Michael Malak
wrote:

> "John R Cambron" <*cambronj@chesapeake.net*> wrote in message
> news:tjshpfbufkjt63@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> http://www.chesapeake.net/~cambronj/wmata/red-bird.htm
> 
> New York's lengthwise seating makes so much more sense than
> WMATA's when it comes to crush capacity.  WMATA aisles are an
> annoying 1.5 people wide.  New York's aisles are 2.5 people
> wide -- which allows for people to get on/off quickly, which in
> turn allows for shorter dwell times.  The lengthwise seating is
> more flexible, allowing large people to be comfortable while
> children can take up less width.  And there's space for packages
> -- the lengthwise seats and the wide ailes provide for this.

I still maintain that the seating and door configurations are one important
reason why people cluster near the doors on the Washington Metro.  There are
too few doors per car (three on each side, 75-foot cars), and as you point
out, the aisles are narrow, hindering people from getting on and off
quickly.  I've ridden on many rapid rail systems, and Washington's is the
only one where I've ever felt that I might not be able to fight my way off
the train at my station.  And that includes riding the New York subway at
rush hour.

-- Tim