Why do ppl run to back of train?

Question

I’m a bit slow getting off the train and sometimes people run along the platform towards the end of the train instead of simply boarding where the train stops in front of them. If I am at the end of the carriage nearest the middle of the train I get people running towards me as I’m trying to get off. If people want to board the end of the train, why don’t they wait there to begin with?

Answer 1

I think people underestimate the weight of the train and the distance it takes for it to stop, so as it arrives their mind is predicting an earlier stopping point from actual.

They don't mean to run to the back, but that's where everything invariably ends up.

I know what you mean thou, after a few times you'd think they'd figure it out lol.

Answer 2

Because they don't know how long the train will be or where it will stop.   Consider the reverse situation: they are standing way back because they want the last car.  The train is short; or it stops farther down, now they're running 3 car lengths trying to get to the last coach.  The conductor might just close the doors and leave em, because they were standing in the wrong place!

It's also a crowding thing.  The middle coaches tend to be more crowded.  

Might also be a shelter thing.  Might not make sense on a sunny day, but if it's raining they're all gonna huddle in the shelter.

Might also be a terminal thing.  Sometimes, trains back in, so the last coach gives you the shortest walk out.

And Hoghead... you oughta come on down into the Bay Area and rub elbows with the transit crowd.  There's a whole 'nother aspect of railroading here, especially in San Francisco, who's trying to break the world record for diverse number of rail transit modes in one city!

Answer 3

Perhaps because there r no available seats elsewhere. I`ve boarded the nearest car to where I was standing on the platform, only to find all seats taken, therefore had to work my way towards the back of the train looking for a seat. Of course, in the process, people r trying to get off, so without reserved seats , mass confusion prevails.

Answer 4

Heeyyy! It's that magnetic charm of yours!! They just can't resist.

Answer 5

Perhaps it has more to do with being at the rear of the train at their destination when getting off.  From what I have heard about standing room only transit, it just may be simpler than trying to work ones way to the rear once on board.

Answer 6

Commuters run to various parts of the train for various reasons.  It's almost comical to watch.

When I used to work the occasional GO Train (Toronto, Ontario area commuter railway, manned by CN crews), commuters exhibited some humourous behaviour.  They would line up in clusters where they thought the train would stop, because usually it stopped within a few feet of the same spot every day.  Some engineers would come close to stopping there, then crawl forward about 10 feet at a snail's pace before coming to a complete stop.  It was funny to look out the window and watch the clusters shuffle those few feet.

I found most regular commuters always want to get on "their" coach.  Be it friends, proximity to something at their final stop, or better seating, commuters seem to be creatures of habit, and often go for the same coach and/or seat day in and day out.