(The following story by Steve Ritea appeared on the Newsday website on April 22.)
NEW YORK — Those who insist on using Long Island Rail Road seats to prop up tired legs – ignoring posters and reminders from conductors – would have their feet held to the fire on trains in Liverpool, England.
Violators on the British Merseyrail who don’t shape up after receiving a warning letter are banned from riding again, if caught on video by inspectors who troll trains wearing head-mounted cameras, the Daily Mail of London and the BBC reported Friday.
“It is only fair to the vast majority of our law-abiding and fare-paying passengers that we tackle the small minority who continue to ignore the rules,” a Merseyrail official told the Daily Mail. “I just do not want to see these people on the network any more.”
Hundreds of passengers have been prosecuted by Merseyrail for putting their feet on seats and other violations. Some were fined, the Daily Mail reported.
“Wow,” LIRR Commuter Council President Gerard Bringmann said yesterday, when told of the London crackdown. While he said it could prove very effective, “I don’t see it happening here in the states,” Bringmann added.
“Maybe if you got a $50 fine for putting your feet on the seat,” he said. “I guarantee you’d see a marked decrease in a hurry.”
Actually, Metropolitan Transportation Authority police, which patrol LIRR trains, already have the authority to issue summonses to anyone who takes up more than one seat. Violations carry fines of up to $150 or 15 days in jail, LIRR spokesman Joe Calderone said.
But he said the LIRR prefers to give riders a polite nudge through the Courtesy Matters campaign – which includes posters and announcements – rather than a kick in the pants.
“With all due respect to the British, we believe the best enforcement measure is through public education,” Calderone said.