I had never seen one of these before today. They’re great. Way better than reaching for a single pole in a crowded car and wrapping your hand around some stranger’s fingers. And If you have the whole thing to yourself you can hook your arm through it.

  • Jesus@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I feel like the comment above is from someone who almost never rides commuter rail.

    These trains have been designed for people to stand, walk around, and sit unbuckled. They simply don’t stop that quickly.

    • ArcticAmphibian@lemmus.org
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      5 months ago

      I ride Atlanta’s MARTA for my daily commute. There’s a few stops that will spill inexperienced riders to the floor they’re so fast.

    • criitz@reddthat.com
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      5 months ago

      There’s a lot of inertia when stopping on the airport trams I’ve been on with these. It could very possibly break a weak arm if one were stuck inside two metal bars.

      • Jesus@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        They can take about 15-20 second to decelerate in an emergency. This is a link to some train geeks talking about it.

        In my experience being stuck on a lot of light rail, those numbers sound about right. Those things never stop like a car when the e brake gets pulled. It’s too dangerous to stop them quickly since people are standing, walking, and sitting without buckles and headrests.

          • Jesus@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            Its existence is also kind of proof that emergency stops are slow enough that people can remain standing and squeezing a poll with 5 fingers will suffice for safety.