And apparently, that's not the only thing that could get you in trouble, according to CBS Los Angeles. A new "Metro Manners" campaign in the film and television industry's capital intends to levy fines of up to $75 for a long list of offenses, including playing loud music, eating or drinking, smoking or vaping, loitering, evading fares, being disorderly, sticking gum on seats, riding a bicycle or skateboard in the station, and, of course, the dreaded manspread.
These rules come after a month-long enforcement period earlier this year on the LA Blue line that resulted in more than 3,000 people receiving fines and more than 2,000 others getting ejected from the metro line. They will now apply to Los Angeles' 2,200 air buses and six rail lines.
Riders with three, four or five strikes could even be banned from using the metro for 30 to 90 days. Now, that's some serious stuff.
This is not the first time that the LA Metro has tried to implement etiquette rules on its public transportation systems. In 2003, the metro agency asked two artists, Diana Aspillera and Robert Goodin, to design "metro manners trading cards" that illustrate public transportation etiquette using cartoon characters. The cards were used in presentations across schools in LA County to increase awareness.
In a statement, Aspillera wrote, "A world where aliens, stuffed animals and all sorts of other creatures co-exist and drive each other crazy is one way reality can be perceived — or maybe it really is that way to illustrator Robert Goodin. In collaboration with Metro's Metro Art, Meat Collective used the cards as a way to catch the attention of school kids and gently educate them on proper public transportation manners."
The card's characters feature Blab Sisters, who talk too loudly on the bus or train, Snacker, who is always munching on something, and Edgy Eddie — that person who makes you nervous by standing too close to the train platform.
