A quiet ride into the city on NJT this morning, as the buzz and chill of the train’s air conditioner was a welcome switch in the commutersphere.
Most days, our 7:10 a.m. Midtown Direct is quite low volume. As I board each morning with my locals, I usually march to the first car for an empty aisle seat in a three-seater. I pass, and pass up a lot of empty seats on the way, but those seats will be filled at the next and last stop, with the throng of Summit folks geared up for the non-stop “Summit-push.”
Here in the first car, most folks are reading paperback novels, quietly dozing, tapping on their laptops, or plugged into the prior night’s TV offering on their fancy new iPad.
I’m trying to break a bad habit of scanning the newspaper over the shoulder of the guy across the aisle.
Mostly though it’s quiet. Some small talk, but no cellphone barkers, or poker games, or chatty co-workers to break the lull.
I’m probably not alone, savoring those last few minutes of peace, before we hit the hot, loud and crowded city.