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On an Amtrak train returning to Virginia from New York, I saw the following sign:

Sign on an Amtrak train

This is a fine example of announcementese, the strange dialect that calls trash cans receptacles. Note the strange capitalization, and that there are only two punctuation marks, both exclamation points. What are “materials”? Are they worried that people will store pig-iron or concrete in the wheelchair space? Of course, the whole last line could be left off without changing the meaning of the sign: it really means, “Keep this area clear, period.” Why not just put up a sign that says “Wheelchairs Only”? People might obey it, whereas this sign is routinely ignored. Why not just put up a “Disabled Only” sign like this:

People almost always leave spaces vacant when they’re marked with that.

Meanwhile, has anybody else noticed the change in “Disabled Only” signs?

The guy on the left is a good citizen. The guy on the right will run you over, Jack!