It seems as of late we're spending more time waiting for BART than riding it. It's definitely not a figment of our typically strange imaginations.
Last Friday, for instance, there was a long-ass delay in San Francisco, thanks to some kind of "police activity" at the 24th Station. Turns out, that police action was just a screaming dude sitting on the tracks for reasons unknown.
We only know this after coming across this
YouTube video which shows the guy in plaid demonstrating exactly what
not to do on BART (hint don't get on the tracks and don't touch the forbidden third rail which has 1000 volts of electricity will likely electrocute you.)
BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost tells us that every single time someone decides to wander onto the tracks, "We power off the third rail and hold all trains outside of the station." The cops are then called and you're screwed in the meantime.
So we decided to use this scenario as a refresher course on how to keep everyone safe (and not delayed) while using BART. We've gone ahead and listed a few BART-approved
life-saving safety tips for you to exercise:
- Listen to the train operator.
- Do not touch the electric third rail.
- Do not touch the four high-voltage paddles that stick out from beneath each car.
- Gasoline, flammable or volatile solvents, acids, etc. are not allowed in stations or on trains.
- Look at the direction of the escalator before you take the first step
- Supervise Children (and your drunk friends)
- Never sit on the platform edge or touch the outside of the trains
- If you drop something on the trackway, do not attempt to retrieve it! Contact the Station Agent for help
