We've all heard it on the subway – a booming voice over the intercom asking us to please step in and not hold the doors. Yet we do it anyway. And it makes us late – or so says that MTA's latest figures on train delays.
Last year, more than 9,000 trains were delayed because of door-blocking – a straphanger's arm, foot or bag preventing subways door form closing, city officials told The New York Post. Authorities are expected that number to be even higher this year because 7,500 trains have been late because of door-blocking already.
Concerned about the uptick in door-blocking delays, the MTA is unveiling a new ad campaign to try to get straphangers to stop the practice.
"PLEASE DON'T BLOCK THE DOORS," read bold new signs being posted in the transit system's 2,200 trains, reports the Post.
"You delay the train and everyone on it," the signs read. "Help this train and the next one stay on schedule."
A subway is considered late if it operates five or more minutes behind schedule.
While the MTA recognizes some straphangers think they're being kind by holding the door to let someone rush in, the agency says they're actually being discourteous to the passengers already on the train, who get held up.
