As a video depicting the grim conditions of a Los Angeles Metro station gains traction on social media, Malaysians are taking a moment to reflect on the realities of public transport.
Overall state of LA Metro Station
Shared by TikTok user @hamalsiren on Sunday, 21 January, the 25-second clip provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by commuters in an underground LA Metro station, shedding light on issues of cleanliness, homelessness, and the overall state of public transportation infrastructure.
The video also showcased a man vomiting near a bench cluttered with clothing, believed to belong to homeless individuals.
Unpleasant odour & taking up space
As @hamalsiren boarded the train, he observed many commuters taking up more than one seat, leading to an unpleasant odour inside the coach.
“The coach is smelly due to homeless people sleeping here,” noted @hamalsiren in the caption of the video, which has now amassed over 400,000 views.
Some tips & advice for those who wish to ‘experience’ it
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Hamal revealed that the incident took place specifically on Sunday around 6.55 am at Westlake/MacArthur Park metro station. He also disclosed that most of the homeless sleep in the train, seemingly having no place to go.
Hamal went on to share some tips for those who wish to experience the LA Metro themselves:
- Avoid commuting in the early morning because homeless individuals are still using the area as part of their shelter.
- Opt for the metro’s daily card instead of buying a single journey coin.
- If you are afraid to travel alone, consider bringing someone along.
Hamal also candidly shared the truth about homeless people in Los Angeles, stating, “There are a lot of homeless people in reality. Maybe the rich don’t experience what I have experienced as a commoner.
I used the metro like average people do. The train station and facilities are good. But it’s the people’s mentality here.”
M’sians express gratitude for the LRT & MRT lines they have
The stark contrast between the conditions portrayed in the LA Metro video and the well-maintained local Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in Malaysia operated by Prasarana prompted many Malaysians to express appreciation for the cleanliness and efficiency of their own train services.
Here are some of their comments:
One netizen remarked, “From social media, it looks pretty and all, but the truth is there are many dirts in the area. For example, in Philadelphia, too many drug addicts by the roadside, and the police don’t even seem to care.”
Another individual commented, “Trains in Malaysia are much better.”
A supportive netizen chimed in, stating, “Anyone who claimed that Malaysia’s train/public transport system is subpar should reconsider their words after witnessing this monstrosity.”
You can watch the full clip here:
What do you think of this of this reality bite of LA Metro Station compared to our public transports like LRT and MRT? Let us know in the comments.
