Category: Live Blogging On the Subway

New Website Idea

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This morning’s 3 train service was suspended north of 96th Street “because of a police investigation.” Ok, so that sounds like a good reason. A little security/safety is alright. But what were they investigating?

That’s SUBWAYblogger’s idea for a new website. There should be a site where you can go to see the “official” investigation reports any time there’s an unplanned service outage.

Everytime there’s a service disruption in the middle of rush hour, straphangers are left wondering what the hell it was for. A site that pulled all that info together would be awesome.

Unfortunately, it would probably be reliant upon the police filing their reports in a timely manner. The interest would probably wear off if a report didn’t become available until weeks later.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Because of a sick passenger

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That justification for train delays always makes me wonder.

Why does a sick person on a train mean that trains have to get thrown all out of whack? Ok, so the person is sick, but can’t they just get off the train and wait for assistance on the platform?

That’s why I think the “sick passenger” think is just complete bull. Does “sick” mean motion sickness or heart attack? Does “sick” mean laid out on the floor of the train?

If so, they should just be more upfront with the info. Just say that there is a passenger unconcious on the train. At least then the hold up sounds justified.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Combat Door Holders

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Ok, so this morning’s train was plagued by door holders.  Actually, it wasn’t door holders so much as people getting stuck in the doors as they tried to squeeze onto the overful train.

So here’s my idea to combat people who insist on cramming into over packed trains:

You know the black, rubber gasket on the doors where the doors come together?  Basically, the part that pinches you when you get stuck in the door.  The part that grabs onto your coat and won’t let go.   You know…the “door bumpers” if you will.  (see illustration)

Ok that part of the door is where I suggest they make out of ink pads.  Instead of rubber, they should make into a huge rubber stamp.  That way, if some gets stuck in the doors, it is going to leave huge black ink lines on them.

Knowing that, there’s no way anyone would stand near the doors as they were closing if they knew they were going to get “stamped” by the doors.  Wouldn’t wont to ruin that new denim body suit!

Ok ok…we don’t need to make it out of permanent ink.  It could be something washable.  As long as it is something that would make you look like a compete ass in your morning board meeting.

Your thoughts?

We need to slim down

subwayblogger4 Comments

Folks, summer is quickly bearing down on us, and we look pretty terrible. There. I said it.

The warm weather makes people in NYC want to break out their new sping outfits, which is fine. However, did you buy that thinking you were going to lose 15 pounds before wearing it? Maybe you forgot when you pulled it out of the closet today.

Currently, I am crammed between some men and women who should perhaps give their choice of outfit a little more thought.

This goes for men and women. For example, fellas, let’s keep the sleeves on our shirts for a few extra weeks. Ok? I know it is news to you, but we can see your man boobs when you wear that cutoff shirt. Also, if your chest hair starts at your collar bone and goes straight down to your knuckes, you might want to always have sleeves…even though it feels like you already do.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Happy Cinco De Mayo Eve

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Since making Google Maps mashups seems to be so popular lately, someone should put together a Margarita map to outline the perfect Cinco de Mayo bar crawl.

Lay it out by subway stop perhaps. Just pinpoint all the places you can get tuned up within 1 block of the subway exit. Hell, SUBWAYblogger would probably help sponsor it!

Yes friends, the stars and the moon have aligned to finally bring us both major drinking holidays on Saturdays in the same year. Both St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo fall on Saturdays, so what could be better? (Other than not having to see the sun on Sunday)

There will be the Cinco de Mayo parade tomorrow from 11am to about 2pm traveling downtown on Columbus from 110th to 59th. So if you’re headed to the park on the UWS, be prepared to navigate around.

The floor (comments) is now open for suggestions on where to find the best Margaritas! Your thoughts?

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

That is a bold move

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I’m not sure why this caught my attention this morning, but it did.

As my train just approached, I looked up at the front of the train as it went past me. The train operator and I almost made eye contact. Then I saw the frame around his windshield.

Someone had tagged (graffiti) the window frame with blue Sharpie marker. It was just around the left side of the window, probably within sight from inside the operators cab. That’s a bold move!

Imagine if someone walked up to your car at a red light and tagged their name on your hood. That’s what someone must have done to this train.

The only way someone could have done it is if the train was at platform level. If it was parked in the rail yard, there’s no way someone could have reached that high.

That means someone walked right up to the train operator, in full view, and tagged the train with blue marker.

Wow. I thought that only happened back in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

——————-

UPDATE:

Ok, there seems to be some confusion about where the trains was tagged.  Here’s a little illustration I whipped up to demonstrate.

ftrain2.jpg

Would you work on the tracks?

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Can you even think of a more miserable job than working on the subway tracks? Holy mother, no f-ing way.

Think about what a typical shift must be like. First of, it’s gross. Then factor in that you’re surrounded by rats. Hell, the rats are probably hiding in the shadows planning a revolt.

Think about how hot it must be to work down there in the summer! Even at night, it must be 100+ degrees, and you’re expected to haul concrete? Fugetabowdit.

Think of all the crap you must be breathing in, too. All that soot and brake dust. Lord knows what other carcinogens are loose down there. I’d think lead and asbestos are probably the least of your worries.

As if all that weren’t enough, you’ve got to keep your ass from being run over by trains!

There must be something I’m missing, otherwise I don’t know why anyone would want that job.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Getting a new MetroCard throws off your game

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Is it me, or does getting a new MetroCard throw off your morning “flow?”

I’m talking about the days when you don’t realize that your monthly pass has expired. You swipe in your normal hurry, and DENIED.

Without fail, there will then be a empty train filled with open seats approaching your stop. Of course, there’s no way you’ll make it in time because there’s a line at the MetroCard machine. But you’ll try anyway, only to make it down to the platform as the doors close.

So I guess there’s something to be said for Transit Check. At least you know that someone else will keep track of when you need a new card. However, there’s something about that system that I just don’t trust. I don’t know what it is, I just don’t like to be at someone else’s mercy. I prefer to screw up my own commute.

So anyway, new card day is a sure way to ruin your transit mojo. Plus, it sucks to shell out $78 $76 bucks for a new card.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Litter on tracks causes FIRE

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Today must have been signage swap out day.

The MTA SubTalk posters have a few newbies.

“Litter gets on the tracks and catches FIRE, and that causes train delays that make you late aside from making trains and stations untidy because a little litter goes a long way.”

That’s the sign copy. First off, I’m no English Major, but is that not a crazy run-on? As I was typing it, I kept looking back at the sign thinking I must have missed a period or something. Nope.

Anyway, the MTA is finally appealing to what New Yorkers really care about…us. “…train delays that make you late…” See, now that makes sense.

The litter part? Ehh, who really cares. It’s like caring about dropping a gum wrapper on the ground at the dump. It’s already dirty and gross. However, make me late? Screw that…where’s the trashcan ?!

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

New Bud Light Ads

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“Always Worth It” is the slogan on a new batch of Bud Light ads that just hit the system.

Umm…no. Sorry, not “always worth it.” As a matter of fact, a BL is hardly worth it when you are handed on for free.

The photo above is one of the older campaigns.  The new one has the slogan written HUUUUUGE.  Guess the message didn’t get across last time.

I think that Anheuser-Busch might be a little confused. Take the subway to midtown or just about anywhere in the Village. Walk into a bar and order up one Bud Light. Then ask to close your tab. No, there’s nothing wrong with your vision…they really did charge you $8.00 for that one BL.

Was it “worth it?”

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…