Doing the Rights Thing

In this, the 214th year of our nation’s history, we have a new Bill of Rights.

For bus riders.

Yes, they, the people of the Southern California Rapid Transit District, in order to form a more perfect bus line, insure domestic tranquility on board and promote the sales of monthly passes, do hereby issue their Transit Rider Bill of Rights.

The document, composed of seven amendments rather than the standard 10, shows the influence of Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Madison and, of course, Patsaouras. The latter is Nick Patsaouras, who was recently elected president of the RTD’s board of directors.

Troubled in recent years by complaints about safety violations, graffiti, tardiness and drug problems among drivers, the RTD is obviously trying to spruce up its image.

Written in less stately language than that other Bill of Rights, the framers of the RTD’s version guarantee courteous and convenient service, timely and accurate information and access to transit stops, not to mention a safe journey.

Like its predecessor, the RTD’s document is open to interpretation. For instance, does it guarantee that, if you are running toward the bus as it pulls away from a stop, the driver will pause to allow you on board? We await the judgment of history.