Author: subwayblogger

Top 10 Subway Bullsh*t

subwayblogger25 Comments
  1. Heat (or lack of AC): Can’t we poke some holes in the ceiling of the train lines to allow more ventilation?  Is it that hard to do?  And I’m sure there’s a way to do it and keep the rain out at the same time.
  2. Security: Well, there isn’t any.  Random cops sometimes standing around talking to each other is security?
  3. Lack of Cameras: When I get mugged (it’s only a matter of time), I want it caught on film.  All you privacy freaks, get over it.  Your face on camera while you wait for the train is not an invasion of your privacy.  Cameras in the bathrooms, maybe.  But since there are hardly any bathrooms, it’s not a problem.
  4. Lack of Wireless Service:  Honestly?  It’s almost 2009.  Get on the stick.
  5. MetroCard: The MetroCard was a good idea up until 1999.  Now it’s time for something better.  A pocket EZPass?  Swipe your cellphone?
  6. Giving Money to Panhandlers: If everyone stopped giving money to the bums on the train that claim “their papers got lost” and “they got mugged at the shelter” and “that apologize for the interruption,” they would stop begging on the train.  They simply would go somewhere else to make a buck.  I’ve seen the same 3 or 4 bums pitching the same exact story for years now.
  7. Strollers: Nuff Said.
  8. MTA: Pretty much everyone in charge over there.  Especially the ones in charge of the books.
  9. Electronic Message Boards: Nuff Said.
  10. Bitching About Our Bitching: If you have a problem with our bitching, that’s ok.  We’d love to hear about it, but SUBWAYblogger is here to stay.
Now it is time for you to add #11, 12, 13, etc!  Post away in the comments.  Get the list going.  Tell a friend.  Check the little box under the submit button to find out when other people reply.

Escalators: Walk on the Left, Stand on the Right

subwayblogger3 Comments

If you miraculously find a working escalator somewhere in the New York City subway system…

1) Alert us immediately.  They are, in fact, an endangered species
2) Walk on the left side, and stand on the right.  Don’t be a dick and stand in the middle, or next to your girlfriend.

Folks, it’s a simple concept.  If you’re feeling a little lazy, had a rough night, have a bum leg, whatever…stand on the right side of the escalator.  Allow those of us that would like to walk on the left side to pass you.

If you want to ride all the way from top to bottom, no problem  Knock yourself out.  Just keep right.

Don’t believe me?  Tomorrow morning, get on the busy escalator and stand still on the left side.  Half way up, turn around and look behind you.  Be careful, you might get smacked.

Get email alerts for new SUBWAYblogger updates.

Trains that Bypass Stations…”Beep Beep”

subwayblogger7 Comments

When was the last time you were waiting on the platform for what seemed like an eternity only to have the next train blow right past you?

I’ve witnessed it a lot lately.  At least 3 times in the last 5 days actually. Luckily for me, I was already on board the train doing the bypassing.  So my local train got to run express for a few stops.  Honestly, it feels awesome.

It totally sucks though if you’re the one on the platform.

Sometimes, the trains get so backed up that there are massive gaps between trains.  So, the train dispatchers instruct the trains to skip stops in order to catch up and spread the load out.  It will slow down as it approaches the station and beep the horn in two short bursts.  That’s the sound of you getting screwed.

In most cases, there’s another train a minute behind the one that just blew past you (like they say in the announcements).

Have you witnessed it a lot lately?

PHOTO CREDIT

Auto Refill MetroCard

subwayblogger4 Comments

Anyone have the new automatically refilling MetroCards that the MTA released a few weeks ago?

It works like an EZPass almost.  You fill it up with $40, then when the balance gets low, it automatically refills itself (aka charges your credit card).

Sounds convenient if you are a pay-as-you-go rider.

As you know, SUBWAYblogger is a monthly unlimited user.  Unfortunately, this program doesn’t work for those cards.  I wish it did.  Just bill me the $81 and call it a day.  Then again,  I guess that’s sort of how TransitChek works.

Sheldon Silver Wins; Fare Hike Imminent

subwayblogger1 Comment

Well, in case you missed it (as most New Yorkers did), Sheldon Silver won the Democratic primary for Assembly Speaker.

Since he out spent his opponents 2 to 1, he managed to secure most of the little votes that were actually cast.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is the poster boy for Albany dysfunction, the senior leader of a Legislature that Gov. Paterson jokingly tagged as a pack of “bloodsuckers” Monday. – DAILY NEWS

Now, since we’ve done nothing to oust the old guard, we can look forward to such wonderful legislation as increased subway fares.

Backpack Wearing Douchebags

subwayblogger16 Comments

Let’s just be clear, if you’re wearing a backpack on a crowded subway train at rush hour, you are a douchebag.  Period.  There’s no defense.

Secondly, if you are a grown man wearing a backpack for any reason (at any time) that doesn’t have something to do with hiking or camping, you are also a douchebag.

I know, “the backpack” is a new Euro-trend that’s been getting more and more popular for expense account hipsters.  I get it.  However, there’s a cool way to pull it off, and there’s a way to not deserve D-BAG stamped on your forehead.  Allow me to explain.

Ever been riding the train on a busy morning when some jackass gets on with his backpacked locked and loaded on his back as if he’s about to scale the outside of the New York Times building?  You’d notice him right way because every time he turns to the left or right, his backpack smacks into you.  Read More »

TransitTrax Podcast: “Is this thing on?”

subwayblogger2 Comments

So I know most of you listen to the MTA’s “TransitTrax” podcast on a daily basis…yeeeeah.

Honestly, is there anyone listening to this?  I mean, SUBWAYblogger is probably in the top 5 biggest subway geeks out there, and we don’t even listen to this.

Not to knock it or anything.  If there’s someone at the MTA with the time and desire to do it, I guess why not.  Can’t hurt.

It should probably get updated more often, and be promoted more.  If it were really done daily with current news, maybe people would actually listen to it.

Hell, turn it into a radio show.  Put some subway entertainment news, trivia, etc into it, and it might just make an interesting thing to listen to during your commute.

Then again, maybe not.

Sandhogs and the Second Avenue Line

subwayblogger2 Comments

Sandhogs show on History Channel

There’s this new TV show on the History Channel called Sandhogs.  No, we’re not being paid to write this, so everyone relax.

This is a whole reality show is about a crew of guys that dig massive tunnels for a living.  Makes it sound easy, but it’s not.  They are digging a huge water tunnel to for the Croton Filtration plant in the Bronx.

Anyway, the show reminded me of what it must be like to dig the Second Avenue Subway line.  I’d imaging the diameter of the tube is much bigger because it’s go to fit trains, but it must be kind of the same.

The city is supposed to bring in a TBM to dig the tunnel.  Honestly, I have no idea if there’s even one here yet.  I haven’t heard anything about the TBM’s in at least a year.  In light of all the construction delays, I guess it doesn’t really matter.

An interesting show for guys that liked to play with toy trucks and diggers when they were kids.

New Look for SUBWAYblogger

subwayblogger9 Comments

Well, it’s a work in progress.

We launched the new look this weekend.  It’s a stripped down design where we’re going for clean and simple.

There’s some improved functionality too, specifically with the comments.  They are now threaded.  Just click REPLY on the comment of another SUBWAYblogger reader, and your post will show up right under there’s.  It has also been made easier to figure out how to use the Gravatars…which we recommend every regular blog commenter use.

So it’s a bit of a throw back to the very first version of SUBWAYblogger, with a two column format.

What do you think?  Be honest…but not mean 🙂

NYC Sound Tracks Season Finale

subwayblogger1 Comment

Who’s the best Subway musician?  Guess we’ll find out tomorrow at 8pm when the finalists perform again.

Kind of funny that this show might launch someone’s career out of the subway.  Like they would ever go back to playing on the platform after this…haha.

Watch it on MSG.