Week ending 3/14/08:
What a week in New York! The steam-rolling gov became the steamy rolling ex-gov! Apparently, Governor Spitzer was a little to fond of young party girls. Now a 22-year old "Kristen", a.k.a. Ashley Dupre gets to join Judith Exner, Fanny Fox, Donna Rice and Monica Lewinsky in the ranks of infamous political paramours.
Part of Spitzers' ongoing legal dilemma stems from his use of Amtrak to provide interstate transport of his party favors, a felony in violation of the Mann Act (ironic name for the law, isn't it). According to news reports, Ms. Dupre was given (courtesy of the gov) round trip Amtrak tickets from New York to Washington D.C. for the purpose of meeting him in his Mayflower Hotel room. The F.B.I. had recorded detailed conversations between Spitzer and the booking service used to secure the attention of Ms. Dupre and his repeated use of Amtrak as his love connection. I found it interesting that Spitzer wouldn't pay to upgrade the ticket to Acela. I mean, $1,000 an hour hookers are only provided so much accommodation. Now, I'm wondering how many regular commuters are scratching their heads trying to recall if they have seen this tattooed cutie on their ride out of Penn Station. My guess is a lot more young, attractive and unattached woman traveling to D.C. are going to be given the hairy eyeball by those "lonely" businessmen interested in becoming friends.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Track Attack
Week Ending 2/29/08:
Amtrak recently announced that it will start randomly screening passengers' carry-on bags in a new security initiative designed to make our railing a happier, gentler and hopefully, bombless experience. Part of the push will include more police officers and army guards patrolling the rail stations with bomb-sniffing dogs and carrying fierce-looking weaponry - machine guns and the like, as well as special units called "mobile security teams" that will be trolling for terrorists on board.
It's all part of a significant shift for Amtrak with respect to giving the appearance of heightened security. In the past, of course, it's been a joke. Anyone (business commuter, students, weekday Broadway babies and shoppers of all ilks) can enjoy the ride by simply boarding a train. The extent of the "security" consisted of maybe having to show a ticket to an Amtrak ticket person, whose job is to try and make sure that the crush of humanity pushing to enter an escalator leading to the appropriate departure track, are each armed with a ticket bearing the correct train number. This is usually a "best efforts" attempt, since the desire is to get everyone down the shoot with a minimum of pushing, shoving and stampeding. Of course, all of this is a mere inconvenience to any would-be evil-doer, who has the options of (1) buying a ticket at the counter and then boarding; (2) buying a ticket at the kiosk and then boarding; or (3)just walking down one of the many staircases which lead to the tracks and are open to the public , none of which are staffed by anyone asking to see a ticket, and boarding, sans-ticket, if one chooses.
Keep in mind, that during a typical evening excursion from NY Penn Station to parts south, a railer is usually comfy in their seat, enjoying the scenery, for at least a half-hour to 40 minutes into the journey before a conductor comes along to collect tickets! So anyone with bad intentions has plenty of opportunity to make deadly mischief!
Under the new rules,the roving teams will show up, unannounced, and set up mobile screening stations. Passengers will be pulled out of line via random selection to have their bags screened. If a passenger refuses, then they won't be allowed on the train (how harsh). Of course, one way to avoid the screening is to avoid the line! I have not heard of any changes in keeping passengers from by-passing the lines, which I was able to do all this week, business as usual!
I would much rather see the investment made in an adequate number of specially-trained, super-sniffing K-9 units, patrolling the platforms and making a quick stroll though the train, prior to departure. As in most security issues, we are more lucky than good, and only through the grace of God do we reach our destination unscathed.
Amtrak recently announced that it will start randomly screening passengers' carry-on bags in a new security initiative designed to make our railing a happier, gentler and hopefully, bombless experience. Part of the push will include more police officers and army guards patrolling the rail stations with bomb-sniffing dogs and carrying fierce-looking weaponry - machine guns and the like, as well as special units called "mobile security teams" that will be trolling for terrorists on board.
It's all part of a significant shift for Amtrak with respect to giving the appearance of heightened security. In the past, of course, it's been a joke. Anyone (business commuter, students, weekday Broadway babies and shoppers of all ilks) can enjoy the ride by simply boarding a train. The extent of the "security" consisted of maybe having to show a ticket to an Amtrak ticket person, whose job is to try and make sure that the crush of humanity pushing to enter an escalator leading to the appropriate departure track, are each armed with a ticket bearing the correct train number. This is usually a "best efforts" attempt, since the desire is to get everyone down the shoot with a minimum of pushing, shoving and stampeding. Of course, all of this is a mere inconvenience to any would-be evil-doer, who has the options of (1) buying a ticket at the counter and then boarding; (2) buying a ticket at the kiosk and then boarding; or (3)just walking down one of the many staircases which lead to the tracks and are open to the public , none of which are staffed by anyone asking to see a ticket, and boarding, sans-ticket, if one chooses.
Keep in mind, that during a typical evening excursion from NY Penn Station to parts south, a railer is usually comfy in their seat, enjoying the scenery, for at least a half-hour to 40 minutes into the journey before a conductor comes along to collect tickets! So anyone with bad intentions has plenty of opportunity to make deadly mischief!
Under the new rules,the roving teams will show up, unannounced, and set up mobile screening stations. Passengers will be pulled out of line via random selection to have their bags screened. If a passenger refuses, then they won't be allowed on the train (how harsh). Of course, one way to avoid the screening is to avoid the line! I have not heard of any changes in keeping passengers from by-passing the lines, which I was able to do all this week, business as usual!
I would much rather see the investment made in an adequate number of specially-trained, super-sniffing K-9 units, patrolling the platforms and making a quick stroll though the train, prior to departure. As in most security issues, we are more lucky than good, and only through the grace of God do we reach our destination unscathed.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Moral Imperative
Week ending 2/15/08:
Rude behavior has become a part of daily commuting. At some point in the week, one is sure to encounter a level of trespass that can range from minor annoyance to confrontation that can escalate to assault. When is it right to step in, to intervene at the potential cost of a more serious loss? Is it worth losing your life to say "you can't do that?" The answer lies within one's heart, within one's soul. Most action is an instinctive reaction to the stimuli of our environment and our sense of right and wrong. Throw in the "character" thing and some compound of DNA that cries out for justice and you have the imperfect recipe that can make a hero. Hopefully, there is some balanced measure that adjusts and moderates our call to duty. For example, an obnoxious and inconsiderate rider who decides to play their funky music should receive a different response than the menace who threatens someone else's safety. In your attempt to stop a fiend, he pulls a pistol and shoots you through the heart. Would your spouse say that it was worth the sacrifice? None the less, our moral indignation demands that we come to the defense of the defenseless.
We have countless examples of self-sacrifice, including the fictional Aslan of Narnia, Star Wars and Harry Potter, all of whom thinly-veil the Christ-model of giving of yourself so others may live. Chances are that not every intervention requires mortal consequence. As a society, I believe we are all called to a higher good. As French writer Alexis de Tocqueville obseved, "America is great, because America is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." In my view, our citizenry is America. This week's tragic shooting at Northern Illinois University rekindled my memory of other senseless encounters where a crazed or delusional lunatic rained death and destruction on the innocent. It was in 1993 that Colin Ferguson casually strolled the aisle of a Long Island Railroad car, opening fire on evening commuters. He killed 6 and wounded 19 before being overpowered by three heroic railers. This incident is only one example where an armed civil patrol could have minimized the loss of life, but that issue shall be reserved for a future missive.
Rude behavior has become a part of daily commuting. At some point in the week, one is sure to encounter a level of trespass that can range from minor annoyance to confrontation that can escalate to assault. When is it right to step in, to intervene at the potential cost of a more serious loss? Is it worth losing your life to say "you can't do that?" The answer lies within one's heart, within one's soul. Most action is an instinctive reaction to the stimuli of our environment and our sense of right and wrong. Throw in the "character" thing and some compound of DNA that cries out for justice and you have the imperfect recipe that can make a hero. Hopefully, there is some balanced measure that adjusts and moderates our call to duty. For example, an obnoxious and inconsiderate rider who decides to play their funky music should receive a different response than the menace who threatens someone else's safety. In your attempt to stop a fiend, he pulls a pistol and shoots you through the heart. Would your spouse say that it was worth the sacrifice? None the less, our moral indignation demands that we come to the defense of the defenseless.
We have countless examples of self-sacrifice, including the fictional Aslan of Narnia, Star Wars and Harry Potter, all of whom thinly-veil the Christ-model of giving of yourself so others may live. Chances are that not every intervention requires mortal consequence. As a society, I believe we are all called to a higher good. As French writer Alexis de Tocqueville obseved, "America is great, because America is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." In my view, our citizenry is America. This week's tragic shooting at Northern Illinois University rekindled my memory of other senseless encounters where a crazed or delusional lunatic rained death and destruction on the innocent. It was in 1993 that Colin Ferguson casually strolled the aisle of a Long Island Railroad car, opening fire on evening commuters. He killed 6 and wounded 19 before being overpowered by three heroic railers. This incident is only one example where an armed civil patrol could have minimized the loss of life, but that issue shall be reserved for a future missive.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Training Rules
Week Ending 1/25/08:
With the holidays behind us and the new year in full swing, I thought it was a good time to share my thoughts on some basic train etiquette that will assist all railers in a more enjoyable Amtrak experience. You remember etiquette, right? It does appear on occasion, and is becoming a lost art, or more accurately, an ignored accommodation. Webster defines etiquette as " the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life." While maybe not official, sharing the rails with others certainly seems to qualify as a social exchange that should require certain common courtesies. The word "etiquette", comes from Old French and means, quite literally, "ticket." Ironically, some ignorant or disrespectful train wrecks seem to believe their ticket entitles them to behave any way they please, with no regard for others.
Here are Lionel's suggested "Top 10" Training Rules:
1. Stay quiet in the quiet car. That means turn off your cell phone, stop talking with your friend who's sitting next to you. No paper shredding, snoring or other controllable body noises!
2. Don't leave trash. Does everyone need a nanny to pick up after themselves? Why people believe that it's too much effort to take their coffee cups, bottles, used napkins, candy wrappers, and believe it or not, pizza boxes, and that the railers who follow want to touch these germ-infested used paper products and dispose of them is beyond me.
3. Herding and pushing to get out of the car first. As wonderful as you think you are, you still can't ignore some basic laws of physics. No two bodies can take up the same space at the same time, so back off!
4. Throwing paper towels and toilet paper on the restroom sinks and floors. Come on, these facilities are bad enough, do we need to make them more of a mess?
5. Putting feet up on the seats. Do other railers really want to touch and sit where feet meet NYC streets? How do we spell "Yeeeeeeech"!
6. Blasting ipods so the sound pours out of the earbuds. I know you love your tunes, but x!@#$%^* and mother-x!@#$%&* is not my idea of music. Thanks, but don't share.
7. Letting kids run up and down the aisles. Not only annoying, but real dangerous for the kids, especially when shoeless. Enough of the "Britney School of Parenting".
8. Loud talking on cell phones. We know you're important, but please. Keep your affairs, both business and personal, to yourself. The rest of us are not interested in your dating life, account balances or dislike for your dysfunctional immediate family.
9. Return your seat backs and table trays to their original upright position. Where have we heard that? When you don't, it makes getting in and out of the seat next to you and behind you almost impossible.
10. When the train is sold-out or close to it, keep your bags, briefcases, coats and other stuff stored in the overhead shelves. Unless you have purchased more then one ticket, you're only entitled to one space. And save the dirty looks when you are asked to move your stuff so someone can occupy the seat.
If everyone would recognize and follow these common-sense guidelines, we'll all enjoy a more civil and comfortable commute in 2008 and beyond.
With the holidays behind us and the new year in full swing, I thought it was a good time to share my thoughts on some basic train etiquette that will assist all railers in a more enjoyable Amtrak experience. You remember etiquette, right? It does appear on occasion, and is becoming a lost art, or more accurately, an ignored accommodation. Webster defines etiquette as " the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life." While maybe not official, sharing the rails with others certainly seems to qualify as a social exchange that should require certain common courtesies. The word "etiquette", comes from Old French and means, quite literally, "ticket." Ironically, some ignorant or disrespectful train wrecks seem to believe their ticket entitles them to behave any way they please, with no regard for others.
Here are Lionel's suggested "Top 10" Training Rules:
1. Stay quiet in the quiet car. That means turn off your cell phone, stop talking with your friend who's sitting next to you. No paper shredding, snoring or other controllable body noises!
2. Don't leave trash. Does everyone need a nanny to pick up after themselves? Why people believe that it's too much effort to take their coffee cups, bottles, used napkins, candy wrappers, and believe it or not, pizza boxes, and that the railers who follow want to touch these germ-infested used paper products and dispose of them is beyond me.
3. Herding and pushing to get out of the car first. As wonderful as you think you are, you still can't ignore some basic laws of physics. No two bodies can take up the same space at the same time, so back off!
4. Throwing paper towels and toilet paper on the restroom sinks and floors. Come on, these facilities are bad enough, do we need to make them more of a mess?
5. Putting feet up on the seats. Do other railers really want to touch and sit where feet meet NYC streets? How do we spell "Yeeeeeeech"!
6. Blasting ipods so the sound pours out of the earbuds. I know you love your tunes, but x!@#$%^* and mother-x!@#$%&* is not my idea of music. Thanks, but don't share.
7. Letting kids run up and down the aisles. Not only annoying, but real dangerous for the kids, especially when shoeless. Enough of the "Britney School of Parenting".
8. Loud talking on cell phones. We know you're important, but please. Keep your affairs, both business and personal, to yourself. The rest of us are not interested in your dating life, account balances or dislike for your dysfunctional immediate family.
9. Return your seat backs and table trays to their original upright position. Where have we heard that? When you don't, it makes getting in and out of the seat next to you and behind you almost impossible.
10. When the train is sold-out or close to it, keep your bags, briefcases, coats and other stuff stored in the overhead shelves. Unless you have purchased more then one ticket, you're only entitled to one space. And save the dirty looks when you are asked to move your stuff so someone can occupy the seat.
If everyone would recognize and follow these common-sense guidelines, we'll all enjoy a more civil and comfortable commute in 2008 and beyond.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Sights and Sounds of the Season
Week Ending 12/7/07:
Good tidings and Season's Greetings to all you busy shoppers, anxious commuters and Holiday travelers. The city is aglow with Christmas spirit. Just this week I saw the rats on an "E" train platform shredding up some ribbon and the wrapping paper from an errant present dropped by an absent-minded railer. They love Hickory Farms!
Mrs. Twain and I came into the city to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and catch a Holiday concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art performed by Chanticleer. This group presents 12 male voices that are unsurpassed in their range and clarity, and when they blend, it's like butta. If you wonder what the angels singing in Heaven will be like, here it is!
My fellow railers have been, for the most part, pretty congenial and accommodating these recent days. I've seen a number of random acts of kindness this week: giving up seats so families can sit together, helping load and store luggage, and a few more smiles representing a temporary willingness to be tolerant for annoying behavior. I guess we can call it "good will toward people"! One exception does come to mind, however, and I'm the guilty party. I was on my way to NY, when a young woman, probably late 20's, joined me in Philadelphia. She wanted to sit on the inside seat next to the window, which was fine by me. She's a female Gilbert Gottfried. I'll call her Gilda. Gilda Gottfried. Squinty eyes, and squirming in her seat. She couldn't sit still and no sooner did she take her seat, she began to complain. She's wedged into the seat to begin with, and while balancing a grande latte in her left hand, she began to try and remove her coat, maneuvering around a large computer bag on her lap, and an oversized handbag at her feet. To her credit, she succeeded without spilling a drop. She also brought with her a consistent sniffle and throat-clearing exercise every, oh say, minute and a half, without exception. It was one of those bad coke sniffles with bronchitis-like sounds that draws the congestion deep into her lungs. Did I mention that adding to the disturbance was the constant whining about the train conditions. "It's too hot in here. It's very hot. Why is it so hot in here" and on and on she went. Also "It's very tight in here. There's not much room in these seats. Why is it so tight in here?" Needless to say, she made an impression on me. Since I didn't have a good answer for her, I simply took out a tablet and began writing my Christmas list. Nothing puts me in a better mood, and before I knew it, we had arrived in Gotham.
Good tidings and Season's Greetings to all you busy shoppers, anxious commuters and Holiday travelers. The city is aglow with Christmas spirit. Just this week I saw the rats on an "E" train platform shredding up some ribbon and the wrapping paper from an errant present dropped by an absent-minded railer. They love Hickory Farms!
Mrs. Twain and I came into the city to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and catch a Holiday concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art performed by Chanticleer. This group presents 12 male voices that are unsurpassed in their range and clarity, and when they blend, it's like butta. If you wonder what the angels singing in Heaven will be like, here it is!
My fellow railers have been, for the most part, pretty congenial and accommodating these recent days. I've seen a number of random acts of kindness this week: giving up seats so families can sit together, helping load and store luggage, and a few more smiles representing a temporary willingness to be tolerant for annoying behavior. I guess we can call it "good will toward people"! One exception does come to mind, however, and I'm the guilty party. I was on my way to NY, when a young woman, probably late 20's, joined me in Philadelphia. She wanted to sit on the inside seat next to the window, which was fine by me. She's a female Gilbert Gottfried. I'll call her Gilda. Gilda Gottfried. Squinty eyes, and squirming in her seat. She couldn't sit still and no sooner did she take her seat, she began to complain. She's wedged into the seat to begin with, and while balancing a grande latte in her left hand, she began to try and remove her coat, maneuvering around a large computer bag on her lap, and an oversized handbag at her feet. To her credit, she succeeded without spilling a drop. She also brought with her a consistent sniffle and throat-clearing exercise every, oh say, minute and a half, without exception. It was one of those bad coke sniffles with bronchitis-like sounds that draws the congestion deep into her lungs. Did I mention that adding to the disturbance was the constant whining about the train conditions. "It's too hot in here. It's very hot. Why is it so hot in here" and on and on she went. Also "It's very tight in here. There's not much room in these seats. Why is it so tight in here?" Needless to say, she made an impression on me. Since I didn't have a good answer for her, I simply took out a tablet and began writing my Christmas list. Nothing puts me in a better mood, and before I knew it, we had arrived in Gotham.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Fare Weathered Friends
Week Ending 11/16/07:
We are always hearing about the terrible budget condition that Amtrak finds itself facing. Hostile non-railers in Congress want to trim more of the federal subsidy (leave it to Washington to bite the hand that feeds it, i.e., commuters getting to work in order to feed the FICA-monster) and make it more of a burden on us, over-taxed working poor! And while were at it, lets throw on a bigger helping of AMT to boot-- which makes me boot! Sorry, I digress. The Amtrak planners demonstrated their lack of Econ 101 when they boosted the cost of monthly rail passes. Mine was raised by 64% over a 15-month period. Their published explanation was that monthly ticket holders were receiving too large a discount over the regular round-tripper and that raising the fares was fairer. Huh? They also stated that this increase in ticket-toll would help make up some of the revenue shortfall. Prices were raised even after a consultant's report was released that stated that the increased monthly rail passes would, at best, be revenue-neutral. The additional squeezing of the faithfully departing, would be countered by the lost ridership of those who squealed "Enough" and left the rail system altogether. So far, no official information on this impact, only my personal observations of lighter loads and some of the former regulars who are now MIA.
Fortunately, Amtrak is trying some market-friendly alternatives to help keep the lights on and the conductor's pensions funded: advertising. Not spending more money on advertising, but selling ads (hey, if it works for Google). The ads I'm talking about are actually more traditional than cyber. Think rolling billboard. Starting this week, Acela Express from D.C. running to Boston will be wrapped in advertisements for an upcoming History Channel Special, hosted by Tom Brokow. The subject is "1968" and we can expect to see the giant images of Richard Nixon, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Bob Dylan flash before our eyes. It should be particularly evident to our Delaware neighbors, since Amtrak rails parallels I-95 and makes the trains easily visible. As long as someone is willing to pay for the space, I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. I'd like to suggest two additional sources of free-market revenue for Amtrak: the Casino Car and "Acelerated", the work-out car. The rail casino could have one side for slots and the other side for blackjack. Create a partnership with a Native American tribe (I think Amtrak means "rolling in chips" in the Algonquin tongue) and give Donald Trump a management stake (picture The Donald plastered all over the outside of the car) and violla! Budget crisis solved in 120 days! My second solution caters to the time-conscious exerciser. What better way to chew up some miles during your commute and slip in a workout as well. The car could be equipped with steppers and ellipticals and maybe a compact weight station or two. Each user would be limited to twenty minutes or a half hour and equipment would be unlocked via credit card. Memberships could be sold and injury waivers would be signed as well. That should do it. Examples of the market at work and no need for escalating federal handouts or immediate in-your-pocket fare increases. As the Brits (who know a thing or two about trains) would say, brilliant!
We are always hearing about the terrible budget condition that Amtrak finds itself facing. Hostile non-railers in Congress want to trim more of the federal subsidy (leave it to Washington to bite the hand that feeds it, i.e., commuters getting to work in order to feed the FICA-monster) and make it more of a burden on us, over-taxed working poor! And while were at it, lets throw on a bigger helping of AMT to boot-- which makes me boot! Sorry, I digress. The Amtrak planners demonstrated their lack of Econ 101 when they boosted the cost of monthly rail passes. Mine was raised by 64% over a 15-month period. Their published explanation was that monthly ticket holders were receiving too large a discount over the regular round-tripper and that raising the fares was fairer. Huh? They also stated that this increase in ticket-toll would help make up some of the revenue shortfall. Prices were raised even after a consultant's report was released that stated that the increased monthly rail passes would, at best, be revenue-neutral. The additional squeezing of the faithfully departing, would be countered by the lost ridership of those who squealed "Enough" and left the rail system altogether. So far, no official information on this impact, only my personal observations of lighter loads and some of the former regulars who are now MIA.
Fortunately, Amtrak is trying some market-friendly alternatives to help keep the lights on and the conductor's pensions funded: advertising. Not spending more money on advertising, but selling ads (hey, if it works for Google). The ads I'm talking about are actually more traditional than cyber. Think rolling billboard. Starting this week, Acela Express from D.C. running to Boston will be wrapped in advertisements for an upcoming History Channel Special, hosted by Tom Brokow. The subject is "1968" and we can expect to see the giant images of Richard Nixon, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Bob Dylan flash before our eyes. It should be particularly evident to our Delaware neighbors, since Amtrak rails parallels I-95 and makes the trains easily visible. As long as someone is willing to pay for the space, I'm sure there will be plenty more to come. I'd like to suggest two additional sources of free-market revenue for Amtrak: the Casino Car and "Acelerated", the work-out car. The rail casino could have one side for slots and the other side for blackjack. Create a partnership with a Native American tribe (I think Amtrak means "rolling in chips" in the Algonquin tongue) and give Donald Trump a management stake (picture The Donald plastered all over the outside of the car) and violla! Budget crisis solved in 120 days! My second solution caters to the time-conscious exerciser. What better way to chew up some miles during your commute and slip in a workout as well. The car could be equipped with steppers and ellipticals and maybe a compact weight station or two. Each user would be limited to twenty minutes or a half hour and equipment would be unlocked via credit card. Memberships could be sold and injury waivers would be signed as well. That should do it. Examples of the market at work and no need for escalating federal handouts or immediate in-your-pocket fare increases. As the Brits (who know a thing or two about trains) would say, brilliant!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sour Gropes
Saturday 11/10/07:
As crowded as Monday mornings appear, or as pushy a sold-out, night-before Holiday escape from Penn Station becomes, none of Amtrak's schedule can come close to the JR (Japan Railway) in Tokyo. Apparently, one of the unpleasant bi-products of this ant farm-like transit system is a bizarre propensity for male commuters to grope female railers. As if armpit-in-your nostril straphangers wasn't uncomfortable enough, throw in some unwanted bumping,grinding and grabbing to the mix for a real nightmare commute! According to recent reports, Tokyo is facing an epidemic of men who can't keep their hands to themselves. In a related survey, 64% of Tokyo women in their 20's and 30's reported that they have been groped on trains or subways.
One response created to offer some relief has been the creation of the "women only" car, a coach on the train available to female riders. Another has been the development of a free download for cell phones offered by game-maker Takahashi that will flash a bold series of questions. The application flashes increasingly threatening messages in bold print on the phone's screen to show the offender. These include "Did you just grope me?" It follows up with " Did you know groping is a crime?" and "Should we head to the police?" It has become the 2nd most popular download in Tokyo and 7th overall for the company. And while many young women are too embarrassed to take action, other are not. According to their most recent statistics, Tokyo Metropolitan Police reported 1,853 people were arrested in 2005 for groping passengers on trains in Tokyo. So how is one of these purvy gropers suppose to get his kicks? Well, leave it to Japanese ingenuity! How about the "Train Cafe", a real train car that provides a simulated train ride and where groping is allowed! This "escape" is provided just minutes from Tokyo's Ikebukuro station. The cost of a membership is $42 and each "ride" is $30. Along with servings of tea for $25, the 20-minute faux-commute departs every hour and serves up young women for the rider's groping pleasure! In addition to "company girls" who are dressed in school-girl outfits or aprons, other "normal" girls who hang out at the cafe after work, can jump on board and join in! Apparently, many members use this activity as a precursor for getting a date, going to dinner, and many report, a steady relationship that has led to marriage! This really brings new meaning to the commuters "daily grind."
As crowded as Monday mornings appear, or as pushy a sold-out, night-before Holiday escape from Penn Station becomes, none of Amtrak's schedule can come close to the JR (Japan Railway) in Tokyo. Apparently, one of the unpleasant bi-products of this ant farm-like transit system is a bizarre propensity for male commuters to grope female railers. As if armpit-in-your nostril straphangers wasn't uncomfortable enough, throw in some unwanted bumping,grinding and grabbing to the mix for a real nightmare commute! According to recent reports, Tokyo is facing an epidemic of men who can't keep their hands to themselves. In a related survey, 64% of Tokyo women in their 20's and 30's reported that they have been groped on trains or subways.
One response created to offer some relief has been the creation of the "women only" car, a coach on the train available to female riders. Another has been the development of a free download for cell phones offered by game-maker Takahashi that will flash a bold series of questions. The application flashes increasingly threatening messages in bold print on the phone's screen to show the offender. These include "Did you just grope me?" It follows up with " Did you know groping is a crime?" and "Should we head to the police?" It has become the 2nd most popular download in Tokyo and 7th overall for the company. And while many young women are too embarrassed to take action, other are not. According to their most recent statistics, Tokyo Metropolitan Police reported 1,853 people were arrested in 2005 for groping passengers on trains in Tokyo. So how is one of these purvy gropers suppose to get his kicks? Well, leave it to Japanese ingenuity! How about the "Train Cafe", a real train car that provides a simulated train ride and where groping is allowed! This "escape" is provided just minutes from Tokyo's Ikebukuro station. The cost of a membership is $42 and each "ride" is $30. Along with servings of tea for $25, the 20-minute faux-commute departs every hour and serves up young women for the rider's groping pleasure! In addition to "company girls" who are dressed in school-girl outfits or aprons, other "normal" girls who hang out at the cafe after work, can jump on board and join in! Apparently, many members use this activity as a precursor for getting a date, going to dinner, and many report, a steady relationship that has led to marriage! This really brings new meaning to the commuters "daily grind."
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