Doors are opening on moving New Jersey Transit trains with alarming frequency, reports today’s NY Times. The doors have flown open, scaring the shit out of riders standing nearby, at least four times in the last two months–way more than happens on LIRR or Metro-North.

“I typically stand between the cars, and it could be very dangerous because people could be leaning against the door,” said Neil McGrath, who commutes between Princeton and New York. “It’s kind of dodgy. You could easily get thrown out of the door.”

NJT officials say the problem is a mix of mechanical and human error, and not a systemic issue. Others suspect it’s the pressure to meet on-time mandates in the face of increased ridership.

In comparison to NJT’s four incidents the last few months, LIRR has one reported instance of a door opening while the train is moving in the last year, and Metro-North has two.

“I typically stand between the cars, and it could be very dangerous because people could be leaning against the door,” said Neil McGrath, who commutes between Princeton and New York. “It’s kind of dodgy. You could easily get thrown out of the door.”

I must say, I’m a bit perplexed about this notion of “standing between the cars.” Indeed, the article says riders feel compelled to stand between cars “during peak hours when cars are so crowded that it is standing-room-only and conductors cannot make their way through the aisle to collect fares.”

Maybe things are different in New Jersey–perhaps Garden Staters find the refreshing the air in the tunnel outside the car reminds them of home–but I don’t recall ever seeing anyone ride in between cars on Metro-North. In the vestibule next to the entrance/exit doors, yes, but not between actual cars–unless of course they’re peeing, smoking or contemplating ending it all.