My train journey home starts with another accessibility rant (sorry, I've got an hour on a train and I didn't bring a book). Time to talk about something few think of as an accessibility aid
Benches
Most people take for granted that they can stand for half an hour or an hour to wait for a train. But for a surprisingly high number of people. Standing for even a few minutes can be agony. These people might not look like they need accessibility aids. But not being able to sit can be a problem
1/n
How? Give people homes. I know, it's radical isn't it.
Don't want youths hanging around. Give them a viable 3rd place. But that would require effort.
Much easier to remove benches. Or replace them with leaning planks. Which somehow make for a position even more uncomfortable than standing.
The station I just got on at has some benches. But they are positioned poorly. Either where there's no shelter from the wind/rain. Or towar the rear of the train. When I need to be at the front.
3/n
The worst one for this is Schiphol. Which last time I was there had benches at the end of the platform. But beyond the stopping point for the train. So when your train arrives you have to get up and hurry back down the platform to the front door to get on. All stations should have properly sheltered waiting facilities, with comfortable seats, protected from the sun, the wind, and the rain, which somehow today we have all three at the same time...
It's basic accessibility. It's just polite.
4/4
Quixoticgeek
JB (he/him)
James Trickle uP