Here! takes over the subway

February 4, 2007 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

Here!, the new all gay TV channel, has taken over the 8th Avenue at 14th Street subway station. The new channel has purchased all of the stations available signage.

The thought of some tourist family from Iowa walking through that station cracks me up. Can you even imagine some family from the sticks seeing these signs? Their reactions would be priceless.

As for the rest of us, New Yorkers probably won’t notice. However, there is an odd feeling at that station because every sign is the same. It’s just a strange feeling.

The Secret Battle: Online Route Planners

December 30, 2006 subwayblogger8 Comments

So maybe “Secret Battle” is a bit dramatic, but it is still somewhat telling. There is growing competition among online travel planners, especially those in New York City.

For years, New Yorkers had to figure out for themselves how to get from point A to point B. Now, there are a handful of online sources to help you out. They are sort of like MapQuest for public transportation…only you don’t end up in the middle of nowhere looking for a highway that doesn’t exist.

The most popular sites:

So which is the best?

HopStop [link] has been out for a little while now, and is probably the most popular of the sites at this point. The site has even managed to establish a partnership with AM New York. AMNY is one of the most popular free newspapers, available in just about every subway station in Manhattan. Hop Stop has set up operations in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington DC. The offer subway and bus directions, but also have expanded into city guides, ratings, trips, and more. When getting directions, you can adjust your search to optimize for more walking, less walking, subways only, etc. depending on your personal preferences. The site is also very PDA friendly.

Public Routes [link] is similar to Hop Stop. They operate out of Connecticut, Dallas TX, New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia. The directions tool also allows you to narrow your search by transportation method. One cool goodie is there soon to debut Traffic Alert system. Then, you will be able to see what areas to avoid on your trip, so that should be a time saver. The other features are kinda weak compared to Hop Stop, but the mapping/directions are just about as good.

onNYTurf [link] isn’t really a directions site. As a matter of fact, it is an open source blog about all things NYC. More of an online community for bloggers and information. However, they do have a cool Google API that overlays the subway and PATH system on top of Google Maps. It is really sharp, clear, and detailed. You can click on any on of the stops for more information too. It is definately the clearest straight up subway map on the web. It’s even better than the MTA map! It is cool too because it is a noncommercial project, so you gotta love that.

MTA Trip Planner [link] is brand new. It was just released by the MTA. Not bad for a city job. Unfortunately, it does not incorporate the maps. Just gives directions via public transportation. But, it does seem to work pretty well. One cool feature is that you can plan your route based on handicap accessible stations. So if you need that kind of thing, this will help you plan your route. Also, it incorporates the MTA Service Advisories right into the directions.

A New Record for NYC Tourists

December 28, 2006 subwayblogger2 Comments

See, SUBWAYblogger wasn’t full of crap when we said that the city was feeling more crowded than ever. Mayor Bloomberg just announced that the city had about 44 million tourists come to visit in 2006, and that’s a smashing new record. Last year was about 41 million.

Interestingly, NYC & Company (the company designated to help the city hit the 50 million tourist mark by 2015) is starting the city’s first international tourism campaign. The company is buying tons of advertising in Europe to attract foreign travelers.

7 Million of this years visitors were from outside the U.S. 1.2 of the visitors from abroad were from the U.K. alone! That explains the much of the subway crowding in the tourist areas. British travelers are familiar with “The Tube” so they are more likely to take the subway. (Probably the French too, but who knows how many of them are traveling to the USA these days.)

So with a new, aggressive ad campaign planned to bring foreign travelers into the city, one can only assume that the subway and other public transportation will become more crowded.

Hey, the ~~hostiles~~ hostels are probably getting a bit more business too with all the backpackers!

14 More Shopping Days

December 11, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

The clock’s ticking, and SUBWAYblogger has zero shopping done. There was an attempt made this weekend, but the crowds were a bit insane.

The MTA should just put extra staff on all the train platforms in midtown. All of the insanity you see on the weekends inside the subway system consists mostly of people who have no idea where they are going. All we need is more MTA or official looking people to direct the tourists where they need to go.

The biggest problem is that people don’t know Uptown from Downtown. They hardly know where they are this very moment, so they have no idea about which direction they need.

Example. I was at the 34th Street/Penn Station subway platform this weekend. A group of women asked me which train to take to get them to Macy’s. No, I’m not kidding.

I first looked at them like I was brain dead because for a moment my head had a short circuit. I couldn’t process what they were asking. Then it hit me that they really didn’t know where they were, and that it wasn’t a trick question.

I said, “Uhh, you’re already here.” They were equally confused with my answer as I was with the question.

“Yeah, just go upstairs. Macy’s is right outside. There is no other train.” They actually paid $2 each to get in the subway, and they were already there.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Gridlock Alert Days

December 8, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

Today is a Gridlock Alert Day. 😦 What does that have to do with the subway? Everything.

For example, all over radio and television, reporters are saying, “You’re better off taking mass transit today.” In other words, run for the subways. Unfortunately, in the case of a Gridlock Alert Day, busses don’t count as mass transit. Technically they are mass transit, but you are not going to get anywhere quick on a bus today. You are going to be stuck in traffic just like people in cars.

That leaves the subways and trains. Add in the fact that today’s winds have caused hours of delays at the airports and you’ve got a sh*t storm cocktail.

If you can leave your office 20 minutes early, today is the day to do it.

Here are this year’s Gridlock Alert Days:

Friday, December 8th, 2006
Thursday, December 14th, 2006
Friday, December 15th, 2006
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006
Thursday, December 21st, 2006
Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Here comes Christmas

November 27, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

(There was a bit of an email glitch this morning that held up the morning posting. Sorry for the delay, we’ve fixed the issue!)

Well, the end of Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of Christmas in New York City. Sure, most stores have had the decorations up since…ohh…4th of July or so. But now we are really into it.

Soon, shopping bags will out number passengers on the subway. Black Friday weekend was our first look at that.

There will be a little slump as people get back on track. However, as early as this weekend, the shopping surge will be back in full force.The subway pretty much becomes a cargo train during the month of December. People schlep their purchases all around town.

Folks, keep in mind that it is an official violation to carry an item(s) that inconvenience other passengers or cause a safety hazzard. We’re not making this up. It is official.

So don’t get pissed when people squish the 14 Macy’s bags you are trying to carry on board during rush hour. YOU are breaking the rules, not us.

A short but ohhhh so tastey week!

November 20, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

This week is pretty much a waste of a week. Today, Monday, is a normal day but that’s about it.

Tomorrow, a few less people on the subway. Wednesday, for get about it. The subway will look like a ghost town (compared to a normal weekday).

Honestly, how much work is possibly going to get done this week? Everyone is just thinking about the last day they have to work. “All I gotta do is make it to Wednesday, and I’m home free!”

Also, Thanksgiving is a very suburbian holiday. Most folks head out of town to visit family outside the city. If not, you’re at least heading to the outer boroughs. So, the subway shall be empty for a couple days.

Then, there’s Black Friday. LOOK OUT! All of a sudden, everyone will be back at the exact same time…all headed for Macy’s.

What a genious marketing move since the 1920’s. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a multi-hour long commercial for Macy’s the day before Black Friday.

Just counting the days for now.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Not looking forward to the holiday rush

November 9, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

As I stand in this already over crowded subway car, I can’t help but dread the coming holiday rush. Starbucks has already rolled out the red coffee cups! So you know that means it is downhill from here.

Soon, the out of town shoppers will be here. They will start to invade the transit system. Just being there isn’t really the problem. I think most of us can handle the crowds. Instead, the problem is their complete lack of direction.

The out of town shoppers don’t normally ride the subway so they have no idea where to go. They can’t tell uptown from downtown…an express from a local. It is a nightmare all because they stop right in the middle of everything to figure out where they are going. They don’t know to squish together when the train is crowded. They walk 4 people wide down the halls at very slow paces.

All together it slows the entire system down. That is why I call on YOU to inform these people. Help tell them where to go so we can get things moving! Otherwise, we will all suffer.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

What the hell is up lately

November 3, 2006 subwayblogger1 Comment

The trains are straight up retarded this week. I’m standing here waiting for the train that the annoucer just said is 5 stops away still.

I’m going to have to claw my way onto this train if I plan on getting home before the sun comes up again. All week it has been like this. One disruption after another. I don’t think I have had a good transit day at all this week.

A double wide baby stroller. You have got to be shitting me! This woman is yelling at people because she is standing in THE DOORWAY with her double wide stoller. She also has on one of thos strap on baby carriers with an infant in it. AAAaaAand another kid who is old enough to walk. Holy crap I wish I had a camera. You wouldn’t believe it until you see it.

Lady, it is rush hour. And the trains are messed up today anyway. People couldn’t fit even if your big as stroller wasn’t here. So what the hell do you expect when you pull this crap.

And here’s a novel idea…

You’re what? 26 years old? How about you close your legs and stop popping out kids. You’ve got 4 of them and the oldest is 6 years old TOPS.

Turns out the ones in the double stroller are twins. Fantastic.

Ok…who’s for a no kids OR no stroller law during rush hour? Throw that out there, and I will vote for you no matter how crazy you are.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Yeah, because subway conductors should be encouraged to talk more

October 30, 2006 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

Has anyone else noticed the increase of subway conductors spewing travel information over the subway PA systems? Apparently, they are now being told to specifically mention certain tourist attractions near stops.

The Daily News reports that subway conductors are now plugging the “Top of the Rock”…because G.E. is a struggling company? I don’t think so.

It’s one thing to mention the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center, but now we are plugging commercial tourist stops on public transit? It’s not like the top of Rockefeller Center is a public place. Sure, for the right ticket price, the public can get up there, but it’s private property.

However, if GE/NBC wants to pay the MTA to mention them over the PA, then ok. It would probably help offset costs. Might be a nice little revenue stream. Hell, I think we would all sit and listen to them blab on about the attractions if it meant avoiding more fare hikes. But, the MTA is doing this for free! (or at least they claim)