(The Associated Press circulated the following on October 15.)
TRENTON, N.J. — People who gab on the cell phone, spread their belongings across a number of seats or listen to loud music are being targeted by a new NJ Transit campaign.
The agency is launching a courtesy campaign aimed to curb the practices that drive many commuters crazy.
As part of the campaign, the agency is putting up posters on all trains by the end of the month that feature pictures of people venting about many of the problems that commuters complain to NJ Transit about.
“The posters are a social safety valve,” Doug Bown, president of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers told the Asbury Park Press for Sunday’s newspapers. “Instead of having to initiate your case, you can point to the poster.”
One poster shows a woman whose mouth is wide open, appearing to be screaming, under the words “How many seats do you need?” Another poster shows a man plugging his ears with his fingers under the words “I can’t take the noise!”
The campaign came about after complaints from riders increased by 30 percent as of May, said Lynn Bowersox, an NJ Transit spokeswoman.
About half of all complaints the agency receives are about loud talking.