Adventures in Light Rail Land

Today, as usual, I left work and took the light rail train to a station that I park my car at. Its about a 20 minute ride to my car. Most of the time, it is a rather boring trip. I usually read or listen to my MP3 player on the way to and from work. Once in a while, my trip is punctuated by the occasional person with a mental illness, obnoxious folk, and even criminal acts. But not much.

However,  today was different. We had an operator that decided we should go faster than is safe. There are known areas where the train NEEDS to go slow, so the people in the train don't end up hurt. Well, this operator took a turn fast, tossing us around. Then he stopped early at the next stop. Rather than slowly moving the train to the proper stop, he jerked it forward, nearly knocking one lady from the top of the steps to the bottom. She held on tightly, and was ok.

Then we headed to the next stop. The operator pulled the train around this curve quickly also. It seemed like he was trying to "beat the light" and get through the intersection too quickly. Then, he hit the brakes.

I was standing during this ride, as the seats were all taken. I, and everyone else who was standing, got tossed. I smashed into a plexiglass window, left shoulder first. Apparently, I also hit my left cheek just below my glasses on the window. I wasn't the only one hurt. But it seemed we all just had bruises. Two RT police also got off the train, and it was clear they were shook up.

The next stop was the light rail "employees only" stop. Thankfully, this operator left the train, and another took over. The ride was smooth after this exchange of personnel. So, that proved it wasn't a problem with the train. Just the gray matter between the ears of the first operator.

So, almost 4 hours and two ice packs later, I am sitting here in my apartment. I have this vague tingling in my left hand. My 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingertips get little electrical jolts once in a while. I think it is related to soft tissue swelling putting pressure on the nerves in my arm that lead down to my hand. And I have a nice bruise to show for it on my upper arm.

Oh, I called in a complaint to the RT "Advocate". And I think at least one other did as well. Somehow, I doubt I will ever get a response from them.