Using public transport at night

is not something I do any more. It would not be safe. I do not ride my tricycle at night so getting to and from the station would not be possible. I know I am vulnerable in other ways as well.

My purse was snatched recently. I got it back almost immediately as someone else saw what was happening, gave chase and downed the individual who knew I was not able to do that myself. 

It was partly my fault. I was putting my library card back in the purse outside the library rather than inside. I should not have allowed myself to be distracted inside the library. Normally the purse goes at the very bottom of my backpack. I need to be more careful.

But, back to the transport issue. Yes, I still use the train. I can still just manage to get the tricycle on and off the train. Quite often there will be another passenger boarding who will help. I get no help from the drivers (who are responsible for putting the wheelchair ramp down) and have even been told I cannot use that ramp if it is down. No, legally it is not their responsibility to help and I can understand that putting the ramp down is not something they want to do. It should not actually be something they need to do in my view. Their main job is to drive the train safely. There should be a guard, an old fashioned guard. 

Now we have "transit officers" on some trains. I have come across quite a few of them. Their attitude varies greatly. Some of them are very helpful. They will help me get the trike on and ask which station I am alighting at. It helps a lot. There are others who sit and stare as I struggle to get on, as people with prams struggle even more and look hard done by if they actually have to get the ramp out for a wheelchair user.  They will stare at their phones and chat to friends. I have not seen a ticket inspector in quite a while but perhaps these transit officers do more when there is an inspector present.

We really do need to return to the days of guards.  More and more elderly and disabled people are using public transport. Seniors in this state get transport free - as they should. This is not because I believe in the "something for nothing" approach but keeping older people off the roads is generally a good idea. I know many older people who have ceased driving for their own safety and that of others. The cost of one major incident on the roads is so high that taxpayer funded public transport for Seniors makes sense. At the same time seniors need to feel safe. If at all possible they need to be seated before the bus or train moves off. That isn't always possible but a transit officer needs to be alert and watching. 

At night, after the 7pm deadline though there are supposed to be transit officers on all trains. Too often I have heard there are none on our local line. It is probably regarded as "safe enough", unlike the other lines. This is not "good enough". 

Next week Middle Cat will need to take me to the Showground twice. It is the week Handicrafts are judged and set up. These will be early morning trips. The idea of doing the same trips on public transport would stop me from participating. It is why I almost never go anywhere in the evenings. I just wonder how many other people feel the same way.