http://soundcloud.com/blerilleshi/13-12-2011-mtro-interview

Veel luisterplezier

Metro

Ah, the Metro.  So much to love (well, so much material for blog posts).  Unfortunately, so much to hate…

This week saw a sudden strike called by the employees of STIB/MIVB because of an incident on Monday, where a driver was attacked by a passenger.  The strike took place on Tuesday, and it achieved its aim of cocking up everyone’s lives.  It was especially effective since nobody was aware there was going to be a strike until they arrived at their metro stations.

Later on Tuesday it emerged that, in fact, the driver threw the first punch of the twenty minute brawl.

Nice one, STIB.

I would be more sympathetic to the security worries of these people if STIB was a bit more concerned about the security and safety of passengers.  It is commonly advised that you should avoid using the Metro, or at the very least, the quieter stations, late at night;  even during daylight hours, pickpockets are not uncommon; drivers frequently run through red lights on the line, requiring them to slam on the brakes a few seconds later (and knock standing passengers flying); and finally, the drivers frequently slam the doors shut on people, refusing to open them again, and leaving them squirming to get either into or out of the train.

On the plus side, they do play some rather catchy music on the platforms, and they hardly ever check your tickets!