Train etiquette, part 3

An awkward part of train travel, particularly during rush hour, is the maintenance of personal space. It's bad enough if you have a seat, as they are so close together that you inevitably brush knees, hands or arms with the person next to you. But at least you have a seat! The worst part of maintaining personal space is in the last leg of the morning journey, from Richmond and around the City Loop, where lots of people (including me) have to change trains to go around the loop. Because Connex, in their wisdom, runs half the trains direct to Flinders street, because obviously no-one from the Sandringham line needs to go around the loop in the morning.

But, I digress.

This early morning changing of trains at Richmond station leads to all sorts of mismanagement of personal space. Everyone is rushing towards the train and trying to jump in the nearest door, along with hundreds of other people. The trains get so full that people stand all the way down the aisles and pack in around the doors. People all clutch the handrails and jostle for space. Bags and coats dangle everywhere. In my opinion, the worst part is that everyone presses up against each other trying to grab an elusive piece of handrail. I try to keep as much to myself as possible, taking up as little space and ensuring my bag doesn't get bumped by anyone.

Surely train etiquette demands that we preserve a little space between us for the preservation of our own sanity? I have no problem standing up on the train, and take up very little space, so some space around me is not too much to ask. Is it?