A Chronically Late Train Station Blames Dunkin' Donuts And Passengers Are Pissed
Angry commuters aren't buying NJ transit's lame excuse.
We've heard some pretty lame excuses before but the latest from New Jersey Transit takes the cake, or in this case the donut.
Commuters know all too well that sluggish public transportation is often just a fact of life. Lately though the problem has been getting worse for travelers in the Tri-state area and no one seems interested in taking responsibility for the constant delays and inefficiencies.
One of the worst offenders might be NJ Transit's Hamilton station, where the trains are chronically late and riders are frequently left wondering when they will get to work. Of course that's assuming they get into the station to begin with.
Recently early morning commuters hoping to catch a train have discovered the station doors locked on more than one occasion. One might think it would be the transit system's responsibility, but not according to NJT.
@NJTRANSIT @ScottieHo @NJTRANSIT_ME “TB” is also the same person who “assumes” the doors get opened at Hamilton. If… https://t.co/DEdyhM5gm8— Steve Kohut (@Steve Kohut) 1553169863.0
When a frustrated passenger brought up the persistent issue on Twitter an NJT spokesperson with the initials T.B. began pointing fingers at the people really responsible for passengers' transit nightmares, Dunkin' Donuts.
@stevek8n9 Hi Steve, like previously stated, Dunkin Donuts is responsible for opening the doors in the morning at H… https://t.co/83tt9id2ea— NJ TRANSIT (@NJ TRANSIT) 1553170207.0
That's right. According to NJT when the coffee and donut chain purchased a location near the Hamilton train station part of the contract included Dunkin' Donuts agreeing to open the station doors on time.
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 why is a donut shop in charge of opening a train station?— Jerry Burke (@Jerry Burke) 1553170835.0
@ChasingJerryB Hi Jerry, this was presented in their contract with NJT when purchasing the location. -TB— NJ TRANSIT (@NJ TRANSIT) 1553171432.0
Contract or not customers weren't buying NJT's excuse and wondered how and why a deal like this got made in the first place.
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 Maybe it's inappropriate to contract opening a train station on time to a donut stand?— Jim Dunne (@Jim Dunne) 1553175231.0
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 Would love to meet the guy who has drafted the contract :)— Syed Adnan Asrar (@Syed Adnan Asrar) 1553219229.0
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 So let me get this 100% straight..... A part of metropolitan NJ is dependent on the donut gu… https://t.co/vUnzHpxPkx— Bame (@Bame) 1553189860.0
@katiebakes @NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 I love it. They're like, "what don't you get? This is pretty self-explanatory. I… https://t.co/MhYSzun4Nq— Adam Herman (@Adam Herman) 1553187029.0
@NJTRANSIT @katiebakes @stevek8n9 This is amazing.— Adam Herman (@Adam Herman) 1553186363.0
And for many NJT passengers it was the last straw. After chronic delays, constant mismanagement and now this, customers we're pissed a ready to see heads roll at NJT.
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 This is the best argument ever for firing every member of @NJTRANSIT's executive and manageme… https://t.co/k2qYhxybgi— David Sheridan (@David Sheridan) 1553192036.0
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 That's not how customer service works. "Complain to the person we hired" is not how you treat… https://t.co/Lb4duYvAWj— Teao (@Teao) 1553190168.0
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 This is amazing incompetence, even by NJ standards— Michael Bator (@Michael Bator) 1553212023.0
We treat public transit like such crap in America that we outsource the opening of stations to fast food franchises. https://t.co/2r6x1KLwwU— Jeremy Wilcox (@Jeremy Wilcox) 1553178344.0
@NJTRANSIT @stevek8n9 "Like we said BEFORE, We don't TAKE responsibility for ANYTHING... that's the morning crew fo… https://t.co/plIEdvvSDz— Dr Factenstein (@Dr Factenstein) 1553227663.0
So far though NJ Transit has not commented further on the situation so it looks like commuters are stuck waiting for the donut guy in the morning.
@NJTRANSIT @ChasingJerryB "Hey Jerry, sorry you can't go to work today, the donut guy is hungover again."— sdx1312 (@sdx1312) 1553176558.0
And hopefully in the future NJ Transit can find someone far more reliable to open up it's station.
This Video Of A Dunkin' Donuts Employee Dancing With An Autistic Customer Is the Sweetest Thing
Bryan Lara was working at his Dunkin' Donuts on Staten Island.
Like any ordinary day, he approached one of his customers.
However, the following interaction was extraordinary. The customer that Lara approached was Donald Simon.
Simon has autism and is nonverbal. He was with his aid when they visited the coffee and donut shop.
When Lara approached Simon, the aid informed Lara that Simon does not speak.
Unfazed by the communication challenge, Bryan started dancing to Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" which was playing in the background.
Donald began to dance along with Bryan and the pair exchanged thumbs ups and high fives.
Donna Maxon, Donald's mother, shared the video to her Instagram and also shared the joy that the interaction brought her and her son.
"Most people would not pay attention to Donald as soon as they realize he is unable to communicate, but Bryan figured out a way to communicate without words and it is very touching to me that he made my son so happy."
Lara also shared his thoughts in the incident.
"I am always dancing, and when I saw Donald smile, it was a great feeling. I love my customers."
Maxon later posted a picture of her son with the dancing donut dealer.
People are in love with this wholesome and joy-filled story.
@HuffPost Now this is real good news .. uplifting .. inspirational .. caring .. and just an amazing guys making an… https://t.co/N7ZXvl4v7C— Allan Westover (@Allan Westover) 1547827952
Looks like another wonderful hard worker deserves a raise!!!!🤗 @dunkindonuts Worker Dances With Customer Who Has… https://t.co/0iwf5Mcjtc— Sesi (@Sesi) 1547826864
Happy Friday! Here’s an awesome Human Kindness story out of New York. Let’s all be kinder to one another - it doesn… https://t.co/P4Zd853G1o— Health Solutions (@Health Solutions) 1547835071
@midlerontheroof (Instagram)
Guess I know where I'm getting my coffee tomorrow.
Junk Food Junkies, we have been blessed with insider info! If you've never worked in fast food it's easy to assume everything on the menu is about the same quality. Apparently, that's not the case. One Reddit user asked:
People who work in fast food: what is one item from your menu you would never order?
Honestly, if there's anyone who would know what to steer clear of, it's the people who make the food, right? So listen, take notes. You'll thank me after your next 1AM drunken fast food binge is helluh upgraded. You're welcome for the glow-up!
H/T: Reddit