The Aerie
It happens sometimes. In three months it's happened twice. I'm not trying to steal a ride on the train, but the MTC train ticketing system is so messed up that it has its own Wikipedia entry. The ticket machines do not block entrance to the platform, as they do on the New York Subway for example, and except for the rare train monitor payment is on the honor system. Only in Minneapolis.
Weirdly enough, the only time that I have ever been asked to show my ticket was on the very first day of commuting to work on the train. This was probably very fortunate, and I have been sure to buy a ticket on every ride since then, despite what I consider to be an exorbitant cost for the trip: two dollars each way. And it doesn't hurt that I support the light rail and want it to succeed.
I console myself in the cost of the trip by placing my used-but-still-valid ticket on top of the ticket dispenser at the end of my trip. If it gives someone a treat to find a free ticket, everybody's happy.
But, twice now, the timing has worked out badly. Just as I arrive at the top of the stairs to the platform, the train is pulling in. Now, I don't mean to be a thief, but the train stops for about 30 seconds, and buying a ticket takes about 45 seconds, assuming the dispenser works the first time which isn't always the case.
So today, for only the second time, I ran to jump aboard the train before it left the station... without buying a ticket.
Now, the first time I did this, it was totally accidental: "Agh! Train! Must jump aboard!" followed by "Ooops, hey, I forgot to get a ticket."
But today I paused at the top of the steps: on my left, the ticket dispenser. On my right, the train, already finished unloading passengers. In a moment the door warning would signal, the doors would close, and I would end up getting to work very late, instead of just late.
So I ran, jumped aboard, and took a seat, glancing nervously around for a ticket-taker. Not seeing any, I could afford to relax a little, but only a little: the next stop was 90 seconds away. If I saw a ticket taker getting on, I would have to jump off and settle for being very late to work. I didn't know what happened to people who didn't have tickets, and I didn't want to find out.
But I found out.
As the train began to slowly accellerate out of the station, I saw to my horror TWO officers in jackets labelled "METRO TRANSIT POLICE." They had clearly just gotten off the train, and were leading a well-dressed woman to the station exit, each holding one of her elbows in a most proprietary fashion. She looked humilated and upset.
AAAGH! It was my doom, right before my eyes! They were going to catch me for sure! I am the world's worst crook, because my face is totally bad at revealing my feelings. I suspect that everyone else on the train could tell I had no ticket from the way my jaw dropped, my eyes bugged out, and I went totally white.
The ten-minute trip downtown passed in surreal fashion. At each station I peered ahead, eyes peeled for a ticket-taker. If someone in a windbreaker had boarded the train I probably would have bolted in terror. Instead of a relaxed, comfortable ride playing cribbage on my cell phone, I was trapped in a rattling kafka-esque prison to Hell. When the train finally pulled into the station, I practically threw myself to the ground to kiss the grimy platform.
Due to a lunch appointment, I ended up riding the train three more times today. Each time I obediently bought a ticket. Each time I relaxed with a game of cribbage. Each time I left my ticket on the dispenser.
But I was jumpy, nonetheless. Like a con just released from prison, I scanned my safe surroundings for the approach of the guards, certain that at any moment a guy in a windbreaker was going to ask for my ticket, and all I'd come up with would be a pocket full of holes.
I think it's worth $2 a ticket, just as long as I don't lose it.
Posted by Albatross at February 10, 2006 10:51 PM | TrackBack