METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Metra customers select new subjects for 'Ride Nice' courtesy campaign

"Taking over the train with a rowdy group” was the behavior that most concerned survey respondents, followed by “hands-free sneezing and coughing."

February 14, 2017
Metra customers select new subjects for 'Ride Nice' courtesy campaign

Peter van den Bossche

2 min to read


Peter van den Bossche

Rowdy groups, saving seats and “hands-free coughing and sneezing” are the winning gripes in a customer survey that will be used to choose the next set of posters in Metra’s “Ride Nice” courtesy campaign.

The survey in January asked customers to vote for the subjects they would like to see addressed in the second series of posters in the onboard courtesy campaign. Customers were asked to choose from a list of suggestions — such as littering and saving seats — or submit their own. “Taking over the train with a rowdy group” was the behavior that most concerned survey respondents, followed by “hands-free sneezing and coughing,” “saving a seat for a sometimes imaginary sometimes not friend,” “eating something stinky,” and “prematurely clogging the aisles.”

Ad Loading...

The first series of posters, which launched in July 2016, addressed hogging seats, blocking aisles, talking too loudly, excessive personal grooming, and putting feet on seats. The humorous posters remind customers to think about how their behavior may affect their fellow passengers.

“We were very pleased with the amount of feedback and input we received from our customers in this survey,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Our campaign will continue to gently remind riders to behave courteously toward one another, and we hope our customers will enjoy the new posters as much as the previous ones.”

Help us decide! Vote on the next topics to be covered in our “Ride Nice” courtesy campaign: https://t.co/wJM5gi2ZtM#MetraManners#RideNicepic.twitter.com/eUrCeq7p8S

— Metra (@Metra) January 3, 2017

Customers can expect to see the new series, which will reflect their survey responses, in the summer. As with the entirety of the “Ride Nice” courtesy campaign, the new posters will be produced in-house, and printing them will be the agency’s only expense.

About a quarter of survey respondents chose to submit their own suggestions. The most popular subject was passenger noise, with customers noting behaviors such as phone conversations on the Quiet Cars and excessively loud snoring. Discourteous behavior with regard to seating was also commonly suggested, including riders pretending to be asleep so that they wouldn’t have to move their things and folks kneeing the back of the seat in front of them.

More Rail

The LA Metro San Fernando Valley light rail extension corridor
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 20, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project

The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.

Read More →
New Standard Helps Transit Agencies Address Climate Risks
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail

Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth

The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METRO Magazine graphic featuring an aerial view of MetroLink extension construction, with the headline “MetroLink Expansion Completed With $192M Airport Project.”
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 14, 2026

First Full MetroLink Rail Expansion Completed in 20 Years with $192M Airport Project

The project links two St. Louis-area airports by light rail while adding roadway and bike trail connections to improve regional access and mobility.

Read More →
Taking the Guesswork Out of Fleet Replacement
Management•by Alex Roman•October 14, 2026

Utilimarc Launches SmartReplace to Optimize Fleet Replacement Decisions

AI-powered SmartReplace helps fleets prioritize vehicle replacements, model budget scenarios, and build more defensible long-term strategies.

Read More →
An overhead view of APTA EXPO's show floor.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 9, 2026

Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
METRO Magazine graphic featuring officials at a Florida rail funding announcement, with the headline “$416M Awarded for Florida Rail Crossing Upgrades and More.”
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 8, 2026

USDOT Awards $416 Million for Florida Rail Crossing Safety Upgrades, New Brightline Station

The projects aim to reduce risks for motorists and pedestrians at rail crossings while expanding passenger rail access along Florida’s Space Coast.

Read More →
Coastal railroad tracks run between a steep bluff and the Pacific Ocean in San Clemente, California, with rock barriers protecting portions of the shoreline.
Rail•by Elora Haynes•October 1, 2026

OCTA Declares Emergency to Protect Rail Corridor From Coastal Erosion

The California agency is accelerating shoreline protection and plans to place approximately 690,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coast to protect a key passenger and freight rail link.

Read More →
DRPA interns with program swag.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 1, 2026

More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent

The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An Amtrak Airo trainset on the Cascades line
Rail•by Alex Roman•September 30, 2026

Airo Trains Make Their Amtrak Cascades Debut in the Pacific Northwest

Effective immediately, two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon, marking the first introduction of Airo trains into passenger service anywhere in the country.

Read More →