Eating/drinking on the train seems really more common nowadays (like every 20-30 rides i see it happening).
This time I actually went up to the the person and told them what they are doing is illegal. All I got was very lame and nonchalant excuses like “I’m not spilling anything; the $500 fine won’t be enforced anyway; this is not as serious as some others who….”, as if I was the one being a busybody.
Really hope the authorities as a whole can do something about this.
Most of us do not have the luxury of private transport and trains can get very crowded sometimes, with people sitting/standing almost touching one another. Really don’t want to endure all that in an unhygienic environment as well. Or have our public transport be a hotbed for spread of diseases.
I remember when I was a kid, the only time someone ate or drank on the train was when it was an emergency. It was either an elderly person who had forgotten to bring their medication, or a parent with a little child who might be in need of a snack. It was rare, and if it did happen, no one would make a fuss about it.
Fast forward to today and it seems that eating and drinking on the train has become the norm. It’s honestly quite shocking to witness, especially when I’m travelling during peak hours. It’s a wonder how people can be so inconsiderate, and how they don’t think twice before they tuck into their food and drinks.
It’s understandable that it can be hard to find time to eat and drink during a busy day, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying for other passengers. It’s one thing to just sneak in a sandwich or a can of juice, but some people take it much further. I’ve seen people bringing in full meals, ordering takeaways, and even bringing in alcohol.
It’s even worse when people don’t bother to clean up after themselves. Empty wrappers and cans are scattered everywhere, and the smell of their food lingers in the air. It’s both unhygienic and unsightly, and it’s a health hazard to those who are particularly sensitive to smells.
The fact that eating and drinking on the train is illegal doesn’t seem to put off some people. They think they can get away with it because the authorities aren’t actively enforcing the rules. But this doesn’t mean they can’t be fined if they are caught. The fine for eating or drinking on the train is up to $500, and it’s time that people realize that this isn’t something to be taken lightly.
It’s also worth considering the environmental impact of eating and drinking on the train. All that packaging and food waste can contribute to the littering problem, and it’s a lot harder to clean up on a moving train. It also takes away from the aesthetics of the train ride; it’s not very pleasant to be surrounded by rubbish and food smells.
I think it’s time that the authorities do something about this issue. Having regular patrols on the trains would be a good start, as it would hopefully deter people from eating and drinking on the train. It would also be helpful to remind people that eating and drinking on the train is illegal, and that they can be fined if they are caught.
Eating and drinking on the train is becoming an increasingly common problem, and it’s something that needs to be addressed. It’s not only annoying and unsightly, but it can also be a health hazard and contribute to the littering problem. It’s time that we all take responsibility for our actions, and be mindful of the rules when we’re on public transport.