At first glance, the 1 Train seems to be the most direct and accessible train to head Downtown. I wait on the platform with a friend for the train to approach at approximately 3pm. Before stepping foot onto the cart, I notice the lack of passengers in my proximity. I am at the 242nd stop, and I am also one of the very few passengers getting ready to aboard the train. The train approaches, I step on, and I sit in the corner of the cart. I am in area that allows for complete observation and also isolation from the other passengers on the train. As the ride to Columbus Circle begins, I start to take note of the passengers that enter and exit the train. The train begins to fill as the ride progresses.
I notice an overwhelming amount of young to middle-aged men on the train. The younger looking men stand near the door, glance from time to time, and listen to loud, pounding music. The older men either sit completely dismal, entranced by their thoughts, or completely mesmerized by the pages of their newspaper. I am completely distracted by two older Hispanic men who enter the train near 181st street. They are conversing in Spanish and seem to be of Dominican descent. They are ironically gossiping like women would on the train. They are in the middle of the cart and speaking somewhat loudly. The other passengers including a group of teenagers on the other end are keeping to themselves. I could feel the vibrations of the rap music coming from one of their ear buds.
One of the old Hispanic men leaves the train and says goodbye to his pal. The train is quiet other than the banging of the tracks and the music coming from iPhones on the train. I am not that far from my destination and have only made eye contact with few of the many passengers on the train. I smile at most of the passengers that I share eye contact with and mostly receive a blank stare in return. My stop approaches and I finally get off at Columbus Circle.
The 1 train attracts a lot of passengers because of its route. Although a lot of passengers enter the cart, they exhibit somewhat the same behavior: ear buds, some to no conversations, blank stares, and almost discomfort. The train ride is a lot longer because the train stops at all local stops.
After an escapade in the city with some friends, we decide to commute back to our college. The A train is available at Columbus Circle and takes us much faster to a Bx7 bus than the 1 train would. Thus, I decide to observe the environment on this train on the way back. We reach the platform and the train is approaching somewhat soon. The train has a lot more passengers considering the location. The train approaches and we set foot onto the cart. The design of the train is completely different from that of the 1 Train. One is able to sit both horizontally and vertically on this train. If one were to choose a vertical seat, one will end up facing a passenger that is sitting horizontally. The environment on this train is much more dynamic than that of the 1 Train.
I sit again in the corner of the train to observe the different passengers. The train has a lot more conversation and color to it. I am sitting near two very interesting groups of people. To my left, I have a very quirky, preppy, and chic dressed girl leaning on her, what seems to be, boyfriend. She dons a polka dot skirt, light brown sweater on top of a button down shirt, brown oxfords, and a bow headband. She adds to the variety of the train. On the far side of the train, I can hear a man playing a saxophone. The music easily blends into the background. In front of me, I see a very interesting mélange of passengers. Two men parade around 3 Asian-American children. One of the men holds onto a little boy dressed in a trench coat. He sits by himself directly in front of me. Both men exchange conversation. I am not only observing their conversation but listening to them converse in French. The fluidity of their words adds to the tone of the cart.
Aside from the saxophone player, the couples adjacent to me, the two men and the children, many passengers are engaged in conversation. I also notice very different clothing styles and facial expressions. The clothing on the train reflects the vibe of its passengers: lively and trendy.
A train ride is hardly can encompass the entirety of ethnographic research. Yet, both trains seem to have such a contrast that I had to observe their environments. Regardless that both trains have the same routes, they attract different individuals. As a passenger myself, I could not help but also evaluate my own decision for taking the train. The 1 train was not pleasant and neither were the passengers on it. The A train offered was much more visually stimulating. Although one must not be biased, I prefer the A train. The A train is awesome. The 1 Train is as dismal as its passengers and environment.