Team work...

Before you start reproaching me for writing about incidents revolving around the London transport, I wish to let you know that according to the BBC website, an average London Commuter spends about 139 hours a year travelling to and from work. So here we go...

It was about noon time and I was on the Central line, heading from Bank towards Chancery Lane, my destination. The Central line is usually quite busy and fast (that is if the so infamous signal failures do not occur) and their stations stops do not tend to be of more than 20-30 seconds. The Central Line frequency usually at peak hours is about a train every minute or so and thus every second counts. A delay of a few extra seconds on any stop could choke up the entire length of the Central line from Epping all the way to West Ruislip. The train stopped at St. Pauls where a large group of about 10 people started to get in.

There was a big rush today and this vibrant group was trying hard to push themselves into the already crowded compartment, when the doors starting closing in. Realizing that some of his colleagues may not make it, one of the younger ones ones in the lot suddenly held up the doors blocking it from closing, while still trying to usher in as many of his remaining friends as possible. The train driver soon realized this was taking long, and announced on the speaker, requesting passengers to let go of the door. But the young group was defiant. Much to the amusement of their co-passengers, the group continued to valiantly fight out their battle against the helpless door. We could hear the female voice of the driver which kept on repeating "Please let go of the doors" on the speaker system, while the team continued to work hard. Soon only 3 or 4 of them were left outside.

After continued announcements, which went on for another minute or so, the driver perhaps giving in, finally announced. "Please let go of the doors. This is not the last train on earth!". There was a sudden hush followed by peals of laughter across the compartment. By this time the team work had paid off. All the members of the brigade had managed to squeeze in through the doors, the doors closed behind them, and the train moved on.

Thanks to the team effort, and some entertainment to the rest of us, we were all on our way to our respective destinations...