http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-04-23/news/light-rail-operators-are-not-happy-and-when-you-read-this-crap-you-won-t-blame-them/
I'm not one to discourage cleaning, but these light rails are surprisingly clean. This article talks about how unhappy the light rail operators are with the upkeep and security forces of the light rails, now I ride the light rail at least six times a week, and I have to take the public city-bus to get to the light rail and I feel like I'm at the Four Seasons Maui when I get on the light rail after the bus ride. Granted there are newspapers and and maybe a coffee cup or two laying around, but I have yet to see urine, vomit, feces (from any mammal) or blood. I have had my fair share of conversations with some nasty people on those trains too, but they aren't leaving behind their stench, just holding it in the cart until their stop. I have never seen a passed out homeless person on the light rail either. They know better, because there are officers who come on and ask for bus passes and it's not worth the $50-$500 fine or being arrested (jail here must be miserable because I would think that anything would be better than sitting in the 100 degree heat).
I wish I could speak with the operators personally, like I can on the busses because the bus drivers are never very nice. It's like no one really wants to be on the bus anyway so why do you have to take your anger out on that red light? Why can't you respond when I say "Good morning!" I realize there is no such thing as a good morning, but even if you wanted to respond with "No it's not," at least you are responding. My whole life I've been riding busses, I took a school bus in elementary school, a public bus to see my parents after school, now the light rail and something I learned a long time ago is that bus drivers think they rule the world and in the end they definitely do rule your life. If your driver happens to be super friendly one morning, I can guarantee that you are going to have a better day than if they weren't happy and nice to you. If your driver is running five minutes or even three minutes late-your whole day has been put off-thank you long-nailed, tattooed woman whose hair looks better than mine. Sometimes the bus is too full and the driver chooses to either pass right by you or stop just to tell you you can't get on. I've seen the driver go into a daze many times and completely miss the request for a stop! What can they possible be thinking about that hard?
It's scary riding public transportation. I can't tell you how many times the light rail has come to a sudden halt and the operator comes over the speaker to apologize "Sorry there was a pedestrian, sorry a car almost turned right into us" or they just don't apologize because they were probably half asleep and didn't see the light turn yellow. Really the last thing that should be on the operators mind is the homeless man who didn't pay for his ride and smells like a diaper because they aren't the ones who have to sit near them and smell it for thirty minutes back to Tempe. Instead I would appreciate it if they just paid attention and tried to stay awake.
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I agree with you, in fact, I met a couple from Portland, OR recently. The two were in town for a visit, and told me they were very impressed with our light rail service, the stations, and how clean everything looked.
I also see a newspaper or cup left behind at the station, but I woud hardly call our system messy or dirty.
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