Before the LADOT introduced its quirky poop emoji campaign aimed at scolding unruly bus passengers, another Los Angeles transit system was already grappling with its own chaos, embodied by a large orange character known as Rude Dude.
Yes, you heard that right. Back in 2017, LA Metro launched the “Metro Manor” initiative, which featured a purple-haired superhero named Super Kind. This character engages in musical battles against mischievous creatures that disrupt bus riders.
Rude Dude, the main antagonist in these PSAs, created quite a disturbance for daily commuters. He occupied seats, blocked aisles, munched on snacks while riding, and cluttered up priority seating. It wasn’t technically a crime, but it was certainly an annoyance.
The promotional videos, directed by YouTube filmmaker Mike Diva and featuring Anna Akana, are marked by vibrant visuals and energetic J-Pop tunes.
In one memorable scene, Super Kind obliterates Rude Dude’s stash of pineapples with a beam from his eyes, much to the delight of orderly passengers.
This unconventional method elicited mixed reactions. Some riders found it hilarious and reminiscent of childhood, while others argued that the issues at hand—like loud music and littering—were often from people who probably wouldn’t connect with such a comic portrayal.
Despite the differing opinions, Rude Dude became a recognizable symbol. The campaign seemed tailored for those who were already well-mannered, and many expressed that real enforcement would be more effective than PSAs in curbing bad behavior.
But Rude Dude didn’t fade away quietly. Metro has turned him into a small brand, selling merchandise like hats, shirts, and even children’s items featuring the character. They even produced themed TAP cards at one point.
Metro has not disclosed the costs for the campaign or whether the humorous videos had a notable impact.
As previously mentioned, LADOT has also unrolled ads showcasing smiling poop emojis to embarrass individuals for various misbehaviors aboard buses, including drinking alcohol or playing loud music.
While the art style differs, the goal remains similar—wake people up to the importance of common decency in public spaces.
When you look at both the “Rude Dude” saga and the poop emoji initiative, you can see a unique characteristic of Los Angeles: when faced with quality of life challenges, the authorities often resort to branding instead of straightforward solutions.
Interestingly, if you ask most riders what they truly desire, it’s unlikely they’ll mention wanting more comic-style messages. They would probably prefer cleaner vehicles, safer transit options, and visible enforcement of rules.
Ultimately, it seems LA transit officials have established a trend: the more troubling the behavior, the more outlandish the communication methods.
