FREE Ads for August on SUBWAYblogger

Back by popular demand, free ads on SUBWAYblogger.com.  The free banner ads are available on a first come, first served basis only.

We are offering a free, week long banner ad in our left sidebar (premium space!).  You can pick any 7 days you like so it doesnt have to be Mon-Sun.

If you are interested, just send an email to:

free [[at]] subwayblogger.com

You’ll get an email back with instructions within 5 minutes or less.

Once they are gone, they’re gone, but we will do it again in September. Enjoy!

L and 7 Trains Earn Top Marks

The ranking details 2008.
The ranking details 2008.

According to the Straphangers Campaign, the L and 7 train lines are the best overall lines this year.

Lines were ranked on:

– Frequency of Trains
– Reliability of Service
– Breakdown Rate
– Seat Availability
– Interior Cleanliness
– Clarity of Announcements

The 7 train struggled a little bit on breakdown rate and cleanlines

s while there are apparently never seats on the L train.  Overall, they both offered superior service.

Interestingly, they are both part of the line manager program.  These lines were selected to be part of a test program because they don’t share their tracks with other lines.  The program assigns top level managers to run all operations associated with a specific line.  That includes everything from train maintenance to platform trash pick up.

So far, the test program is working.

Metrocard Problems Part Deux

Wow. Even Metrocards can be sexy.
Wow. Even Metrocards can be sexy.

Well, the Metrocard drama seems to have continued today, and still no explanations.

Paul J. Fleuranges, the chief spokesman for New York City Transit, the arm of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that runs the subways and buses, declined to speculate on the cause of the breakdown, but said “it was a systemwide outage affecting all or close to every” of the 2,245 machines. He characterized the problem as unprecedented in its magnitude. [NY Times]

Unprecedented.  Wow.  That’s greeeeat to hear.

It’s apparently a breakdown in network communication between the MTA’s system and the company that actually does the credit card processing.

Rumor has it that some people were actually charged for a Metrocard even though the machine said it was unable to process the transaction, and no card was dispensed.  So check your statements people!

Photo edstern

Metrocard Machines Take the Morning Off

A Metrocard mechanic cleaning some parts of the machine.
A Metrocard mechanic cleaning some parts of the machine.

Did you try to buy a new Metrocard this morning between 8:30AM and 10:30AM?  Hope you didn’t try to pay with a credit card, because the machines weren’t taking them.

For unknown reasons, dozens if not hundreds of Metrocard machines stopped taking electronic payments.  Not a big deal if you were going for a $2.00 ride.

However, if you were in the market for a new $82 unlimted card, chances are you didnt have that dough burning a hole in your pocket.

The issue seemed to have replicated itself again around the afternoon rush.  I did see an especially long line at the machines this afternoon.

I guess this is what happens when you are still using Windows NT in your systems.
I guess this is what happens when you are still using Windows NT in your systems.

Around 6 p.m., at one entrance to the Times Square station, signs on the vending machines indicated that they were not accepting credit or debit cards, and a station agent opened the exit gate and ushered passengers through without making them pay.  [City Room]

Can you just imagine all the sea of confused tourists flocking to the token booth?

Ads Promoting Islam Coming to Subway Near You

Let the drama begin. Apparently this September, straphangers will see ads on the subway promoting Islam. (Oh nooo !!)

This is a sample of the ads expected to be run this September in the New York City Subway.
This is a sample of the ads expected to be run this September in the New York City Subway.

How can we protect our children from these ads that will surely turn them into terrorists instantly?

Unfortunately, that’s not an exaggeration if you ask many New Yorkers including some Congressmen.

“I have no problem with the ad itself, but I have a very, very real problem with those behind it,” Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican, said Tuesday. He is urging the Metropolitan Transit Authority to reject the ads. [CNN]

What didn’t make it into the text version of the story, but did make it in the live interview with Rep. King was when he said that he was especially appalled by the ads running at a time when America will be “…mourning the 7th anniversary of 9/11.”

The opposition was quick to point out that the campaign starts on Sept 15th, and that Rep. King should get his facts straight.  More importantly though, it shows that Rep. King is in fact more concerned with the fact that the ads promote Islam and Muslim beliefs.  So he does have a problem with the ads themselves.

Personally, SUBWAYblogger says who the hell cares?  The ads themselves are very mild (pictured above).  I probably wouldn’t even notice them.  Even if they were a little inflammatory, what’s the big deal?  It’s an ad on the subway.  Let them have their free speech.  To get it down to redneck logic, censoring the ad is exactly what the terrorists want America to do.

What do you think?

[poll=7]

This should be an interesting topic of discussion.

Rep. King has sent a letter to the MTA demanding that the ads be kept from running.  That’s pretty rediculous.

Dear Rep. King,

Wake up and do something that really matters.  Here’s a few things if you’re out of ideas: Read More »

Another MTA Fare Hike

So SUBWAYblogger has been waiting for the rumors of yet another MTA fare hike to shake out before passing judgement.  And her it is…

You’ve gotta be f***ing kidding me.

They haven’t said what the details of the proposed hike are yet, but there are some initial reports.  Those reports say there could be an 8% increase next July, and another 5% hike in 2011.

The need for the increase in fare has been attributed to higher fuel costs and lower real estate revenue.

The city needs to do better negotiating for it’s gas reserves then.  And the state should remove the tax on that gas (maybe they do already…who knows).

So if that is the case, then just the bus fares should go up, sorry grandma.  You’re going to need to carry more quarters in your purse.

Old Cars with Old Ads?

DVD of When We Left Earth
DVD of When We Left Earth

I don’t know if they had to reactivate a car on my train today or what, but all the ads were out dated.

The first car I got in had no air conditioning (or passengers for that matter).  So I broke the law, and walked between the cars while the train was moving.  I know, I’m a bad ass.

In that car, the air was running but it was skinned in Discovery Channel ads for the “new” series, “When We Left Earth.” The ad says it premiers June 8th.

Ummm…it’s July now.

This thing had ads for this show on the ceiling and EVERY available ad position.  It was a complete takover.

Maybe this car had been sitting in the yard unused, so they didn’t bother swapping out the ads.  Then all of  a sudden, it was reactivated due to other cars breaking down.  Who knows.

It’s the only thing I could come up with to explain the month and a half old ads.

Turns out that part of your body sweats too

Nothing beats the feeling of sweat running down your leg while you stand perfectly still on the train platform.

And how about those train cars you walk into without air conditioning.  It’s like walking into an oven.

At first you get in the heat car and you’re a little shocked.  Then you think to yourself, quick…switch cars!  Just then, the doors close.  Damn.

“Well, this isn’t too bad,” you think to yourself.

Then the panic sets in.  All you can think about is the mad dash you are going to make at the very next stop.

Finally, the train gets to the next stop, and you bolt out.  Hopefully you are spry enough to make it to the next car before the doors close again.

The Most Disgusting Thing I’ve Ever Seen

Nail Clipper

So I’ve seen a lot of gross stuff happen, especially in the subway.  Gross, smelly, oozing homeless feet.  Fat, sweating, pigs of human beings in airconditionless subway cars.  Really, it takes a lot to make my skin crawl.  However, this put me over the edge.

I was on a 3 train coming from downtown.  It was pretty crowded, and kinda hot.  The AC was working, but not too well.  The trains were also slow, so there was a slightly higher number of people in each train.

I was standing at the end of a car, standing over the little two-seater.  There was an 16 or 17 year old couple (guy and girl).

Just to paint the picture…

Her: Tight, tiiiiight black acid washed jeans.  Halter top that didn’t quite make it over the muffin top.  High tops.  Little acne problem.

Him: All black clothing starting at the top with the Yankees cap and do-rag.  Cap at the standard 45 degrees, but also askew like a beret.  Black t-shirt long enough to go past his knees.  Fake silver chain with a cross and skull.

Here comes the grossness…you’ve been warned.

At first I look down, and she is picking the dirt out from under his fingernails.  Already, I’m grossed out.  She gets to his thumb, and starts having issues.

Her fake acrylic nails are getting in the way.  And he has one little corner on his nail that is a little sharp.  She starts to try to pick the sharp corner off to no avail.

So then (cue drum roll), she puts his thumb in her mouth to bit his thumbnail!  I shit you not.  She starts biting his nails like they were her own.  Just chompin’ away.

She nibbles an entire strip as if she were a nail clipper, and spits it out at my feet.  Then moves on to the next finger.

He’s just sitting there, too hardcore for life, like nothing odd is going on at all.  Meanwhile, his fingernails are getting a mouth manicure right before our very eyes.

Possibly one of the most retarded things I have seen to date. y

Bon Jovi Subway Changes

Bon Jovi Subway Sign

You know you are a rockstar when your concerts cause the New York City subway to reroute in advance.

Apparently, there won’t be any C trains running along the Upper West Side.  Concert entrances are at 72nd Street.  Your ticket says which side (Central Park West or 5th Ave) you have to enter.

You can only enter the concert on the side on your ticket.

Photo orangejuicy.  Story Gothamist.