A day in the life

I spent yesterday working in Tel Aviv. After a moderately successful day, I left the offices at 4pm, walked to the nearby train station (arrived 16:15) and took a connecting train from the branch stop (16:20) to the main Tel Aviv station (arriving 16:30). At 16:45, the train to Bet Shemesh (and thence to Jerusalem) pulled into the station; it is due to leave at 16:55.

There was a slight delay in leaving the main station, an unusual occurrence. After a few minutes, the train pulled into the next station then started on its way to the third Tel Aviv station. The train never got there: it stopped midway between two stations ... and stayed that way for about two hours!

The information that we passengers received was minimal, possibly because the railway workers trying to fix the problem didn't know what the exact problem was. We were told that it was an electrical fault and that it should be fixed in a few minutes; after a few minutes, we were told that it would take a bit longer ... and a bit longer ... and eventually they gave up giving us updates. Of course, we couldn't get off the train because we were between stations, and as modern trains don't seem to have any windows which can be opened, the air got hot and stale. 

Eventually, the powers that be sent a replacement train which connected up to the far end of my train; the passengers walked through seemingly endless carriages until we all had a seat (and air!), and then the new train set off backwards, to the previous station. Here we all disembarked, at about 19:10. Everyone was worried that we would have to wait for the next scheduled train to Bet Shemesh, due to leave at 20:00, but fortunately a special train was laid on which left at 19:30, meaning that I arrived home at about 20:25. 

All the passengers will get a refund (the office in Bet Shemesh had already photocopied multiple copies of the required form) but of course this won't return the two unpleasant hours that we suffered. It's not clear what kind of refund will be received by those who hold a monthly ticket.

Fortunately, no one panicked nor started shouting loudly. Such behaviour has a tendency to spread quickly and is to no one's advantage. I wouldn't say that anyone was pleased by what happened, but at least we all got through it with a minimum of discomfort. I had my Kindle with me, so I could carry on reading without too much problem (except when the lights went out a few times).