I recently boarded the northbound 11:12 a.m. Metra train at Homewood, my destination being 59th Street. As the train approached the 59th Street station, I walked forward to where the conductor and a trainee were located. A fellow passenger asked the trainee how long he would need to wait before meeting the connecting local train. The trainee responded with a look of annoyed disgust, and turned away with a shrug.
I was very pleased to see the conductor step in and remind the trainee: “He needs us” (meaning that the passenger was in need of help, and that the role of the train staff was to assist travelers to and from their destinations).
The conductor proceeded to help the passenger meet his connection and at the same time try his best to teach what appeared to be an unwilling trainee.
In each of these two Metra agents I saw what is the best and worst of public institutions. The conductor exemplified the qualities of public service and citizenship that are, in fact, the very reason services like Metra and other public organizations exist. And, unfortunately, in the young trainee I saw the uncaring cold shoulder that manifests itself all too often in public jobs.
I would like to offer my thanks to that conductor for practicing what I hope is the prevailing philosophy of Metra and transportation services everywhere: helping travelers reach their destinations.
