Here's another example of public transit failing tired commuters.
We read a story this morning on NBC News about a South Bay woman who is really pissed at Caltrain -- and rightfully so -- after she dozed off on her ride home and ended up locked on an dark, empty train in the transit agency's maintenance yard -- alone, confused, and pretty damn scared.
On March 14, Jessica Method hopped a San Jose-bound train after having a "big dinner" with friends in San Francisco. And because heavy dinners make everyone sleepy, Method fell into a slumber while on the train.
But when she woke up, she wasn't exactly home.
See Also: California-Bound Man Falls Asleep on Flight, Wakes Up to Dark, Empty Plane
In reality she was 1.5 miles away at the Caltrain maintenance yard. "I realized there was no one around, so I panicked and then I kind of yelled for help," Method told NBC News. "I said 'help!' Is anybody there?'"
To add to her misfortune, her cellphone was dead. Once she realized she was really screwed (it was after midnight), Method ran to the conductor's control area and called for help via the train's radio.
Finally, help arrived. Caltrain expressed its apologies to the 23-year-old, saying the agency will make sure this won't happen again, not just to Method but to any passenger.
Caltrain spokesperson Jayme Ackeman told NBC News that this whole situation is "embarrassing." "The employees involved were subject to disciplinary action of course," Ackeman said.
But Method had some better advice for Caltrain:
"Just as they are very diligent about checking tickets, they should just as diligent making sure no passengers are left."
What a great idea.
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