Train Pushers (2004-06-10)
Many of my friends have asked me the same question, "Are there really train pushers in Japan?" And I always answer, "There really are." It's quite something to see these workers jamming the last few passengers into the train and making sure there are no arms or feet hanging out before the door closes. Not all train lines are staffed with train pushers, only those that make stops at commercial districts in rush hours have them such as Ginza (
) Line, Odakyu Line (
) or Marunouchi (
)
Line. And for those lines that don't have train pushers doesn't
mean they are not crowded during rush hours, it just means you're on
your own. If you come to Tokyo for a visit, avoid taking trains at rush hours
at all cost. I've been there and it's a torture. Each car
is so jam-packed with people that you often cannot stand
straight. When I made the mistake of taking the morning rush hour
train, I nearly suffocated by the mass of people pressing against me at
all angles. I did a little experiment of letting go of the bag I
was carrying in one hand and it didn't drop on the floor, it simply
hung amid bodies. And the challenge isn't limited to surviving
the crowd, you're only a true winner if you also make your stop.
Though it may not happen often, it's not unheard of that passengers who
are pushed deep into the belly of the train end up missing their stops
because they can't get to the door in time.
When KL needs to go to the office at 9am, he leaves at the crack of
dawn. He'd rather arrive at the office a lot earlier than battle
the killer crowd on the train. While waiting for work to start,
he studies Japanese or reads the news . I think it's a smart
thing to do.
Note: Sorry, I don't have any photo of a train pusher. I
challenge you to come to Tokyo and take his picture in rush hour
yourself cuz I ain't doing it.
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