Valley Metro Light Rail Rules of Conduct on Trains

The English Rules are NOT the same as the Spanish Rules

The English rules of conduct on the Valley Metro Light Rail system are almost completelly different then the Spanish rules of conduct!

Valley Metro posted 5 Spanish rules of conduct but only 4 English rules conduct.

The first rule of conduct is pretty much the same in English and Spanish. Execpt the Spanish rule says to hold the hands of your children.

The English rule does not mention children.

The First English rule says:

Stand behind the textured strip when waiting for the train.
and the Spanish translation of the first rule is roughly the same execpt for the part about having children hold hands:
At the station, stay behind the textured band and keep children holding hands
The remaining 3 English rule do not have ANYTHING in common with the remaining 4 Spanish rules.

Spanish rules translated to English

Seguridad y Normativa

  • En la estacion, matengase detras de la banda texturizada y mantenga a los niños tomados de la mano.
  • Esta prohibido montar patineta, bicicleta o patinar en las estaciones.
  • Mire a ambros lados antes de cruzar las vias a pie, en carro o en bicicleta. Los peatones solo pueden cruzar en los paso de cebra y deben obedecer las señales
  • Los tranvias ligeros son extremadamer silenciosos. No se distraiga cerca de las vias y preste atencion a las luces superiores destellantes del tren, las campanas y cornetas de advertencia.
  • Encontrara telefonos de emergencia o interfonos en las estaciones de METRO, los trenes y park-and-rides.

Safety and Regulatory

  • At the station, stay behind the textured band and have children hold hands.
  • It is forbidden to ride a skateboard, bike or skate at the stations.
  • Look both ways before crossing the tracks on foot, by car or bicycle. Pedestrians can only cross at the marked cross walk and must obey the signs
  • The light rail is very silent. Do not be distracted by the ways and pay attention to lights flashing above the train, warning bells and horns.
  • Emergency telephones and intercoms are in the METRO stations, trains and park-and-rides.

Comparing the rules in English to the rules in Spanish

English Rules

Spanish rules translated to English
The first rule is the only rule that is the same in English and Spanish.

The Spanish version of the rule says that children should hold hands. The English rule says nothing about children.

The first rule is:

English:

  • Stand behind the textured strip when waiting for the train.

Spanish:

  • At the station, stay behind the textured band and have children hold hands.
The following 3 rules in English and 4 rules in Spanish have nothing in common.

Rules 2 thru 4 in English and rules 2 thru 5 in Spanish:

English:

  • Alcohol, tobacco and eating prohibited.

Spanish:

  • It is forbidden to ride a skateboard, bike or skate at the stations.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages are permitted if carried in an unbreakable, spill-proof container such as a commuter cup or screw-top plastic bottle.
  • Look both ways before crossing the tracks on foot, by car or bicycle. Pedestrians can only cross at the marked cross walk and must obey the signs
  • You must hold a valid transit pass to be at a METRO station and may not spend more than one hour at a station.
  • The light rail is very silent. Do not be distracted by the ways and pay attention to lights flashing above the train, warning bells and horns.
 
  • Emergency telephones and intercoms are in the METRO stations, trains and park-and-rides.
The rules are on this large sign.

The rules in English are under the title

Safety and Regulatory
The rules in Spanish are under the title
Seguridad y Normativa

Here is a close up of the English and Spanish rules

The rules were found at the Valley Metro Light Rail stop at:
Tempe Transportation Center
Veterns Way/College Avenue & 5th Street

 

Tribune article:

English, Spanish light-rail rules don't match

Source

English, Spanish light-rail rules don't match

Sonu Munshi, Tribune

December 8, 2009 - 5:37PM

Signs in English on the Metro light rail have added words when translated to Spanish as seen here at the Sycamore Station in Mesa. Dec. 8, 2009.

Tim Hacker, Tribune

Mike Ross is a self-proclaimed light-rail protester and rider. But beyond the Tempe resident's usual objection to government being in the business of mass transit, it's a giant signboard at light-rail stations that's been irking him.

The number and content of the safety and conduct rules for light-rail riders are different in English and Spanish, a difference that Ross isn't sure is a matter of a careless mistake or something deliberate.

"I don't know if there's any racism," he said. "I think someone screwed up, but that first instruction in Spanish, that kind of sounds a little bit racist."

The first sign, he explained, says in English to stand behind the textured strip, while in Spanish it says to stay behind the line and hold the hands of your children.

Ross said, "Why not tell English-speaking people to hold their kids' hands, too?"

The second rule of conduct in English is: "Alcohol, tobacco and eating prohibited."

But, noted Ross, the Spanish version of the rules does not include that rule, nor does it mention another rule that's highlighted in the English signage regarding a valid transit pass or spending more than an hour at a station.

Ross pointed out he's a white guy who just happened to notice the difference in signs and couldn't help but question the change.

"My Spanish is cruddy, but even I could tell the rules were different," Ross said.

His objection appears to have made a difference.

Light-rail spokeswoman Hillary Foose told the Tribune that generally for all its signage Metro used a professional translator.

"We have a professional translator that we used to make sure the Spanish one is as accurate or professionally done as can be," she said.

Later, after looking into this particular signage, Foose followed up with a written statement that noted the signs will be changed.

"The content difference was not intentional but was an inadvertent mistake made during the busy months leading up to and following the opening of the system," the statement said. "We will immediately replace these posters and update them with content that is clear and consistent."

That sounds akin to what Ross thought may have happened.

"I suspect they just screwed up," he said.

Lost in translation

Signs at Metro's light-rail stations give Spanish readers a different set of safety instructions from those that are printed in English.

For English readers: "Stand behind the textured strip when waiting for the train."

Spanish version: "En la estación, manténgase detrde la banda texturizada y mantenga a los niños tomados de la mano."

English translation of the Spanish version: "At the station, stand behind the textured line and hold your children's hands."