When rush hour causes panic attacks.

last updated 8 January 2015

Netherlands

Marieke Ekhart

Commuting to work in the Netherlands is torture, said Marieke Ekhart in Amsterdam’s De Telegraaf. Ever since the national train service changed its schedule at the end of last year, rush hour on many routes has become “insanely overcrowded.” Passengers are smashed up against one another, their purses and briefcases wedged against other bodies. The more enterprising “camp out in the tiny toilet” to have blessed space and privacy for the duration of the ride. Those who aren’t so lucky—or so selfish—are stuck standing in a hot, sweaty crowd until overcome by “fainting spells or panic attacks.” Fistfights even break out. After a riot on one train from Gouda to The Hague, officials decided that tempers were so frayed, it was unsafe to continue. They simply threw everyone off the train. Obviously, the trains need more cars—that’s why the schedule was changed in the first place. But until the cars are purchased and outfitted, the suffering will continue. Train service officials will simply say, “Unfortunately, we can only row with the oars we have.”