Assaults on mass transit in the US aren't what I'd call a normal state of affairs. I haven't seen it yet in person, though clearly it happens. Petty theft is a good bit more common, though like 99% of the time I just see people doing their thing and ignoring everyone else on the bus/train/whatever.

I read comments on HN and kind of wonder if this is why people believe all these terrible things about the US. Never been here, and only have comments online to judge by. Explains a lot.

At least in my personal experience in Spain, the stations in Madrid were, in direct observation, a gathering place for pickpockets and other scammers.

What is elsewhere? Train and subway stations are hubs for crime in the places I’ve been in America.

Germany, the UK, Sweden, NL… India even. Pickpocketing, in the big central stations, same as anywhere lots of people are, sure - violence, no.