Tag: mta

Spitzer Screws Hookers and Transit System

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Just when you thought some serious decisions were finally going to be made in Albany about all things transportation in NYC, Spitzer had to get caught with his pants down.

Clearly, these developments throw some major wrenches in plans for things like congestion pricing and transit related budget issues. While the pols in Albany get their panties untwisted, we’ll just have to wait around.

Regardless of your opinion of Spitzer as a leader, at least some decisions were being made. Good or bad…at least once they were decided, we could all move on to the next thing.

That’s the most frustrating thing about politics…all the waiting and suspense.

For example, the fare hike. Personally, as a monthly card holder, I feel it was a little excessive. Needed perhaps, but a bit much. However, I’m just glad it is done! At least I know for the next year or two, the price will be the price. I can move on with my life.

Congestion pricing, well now what? If your for it or against it, wouldn’t you just rather have a final decision made so we could all move on.

I’ve got my fingers crossed that Patterson can get the momentum moving again.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

New NYC Subway Fares

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If you went to the MetroCard machine today to buy a new monthly card and felt an odd sensation in your rear, that was the MTA raping you.

Ok, perhaps a bit strong, but the point remains the same.

The new fare increase kicks in today.  That means your $76 monthly card just jumped to $81.00.  Meanwhile, the single ride card didn’t go up a dime.  I’ve always supported the fare increase because I think something needs to be done about the crumbling system, but I think that all the fares should have gone up…to be fair.

Here’s the new rates:

New NYC Subway Fare Rates

Snow and Deja Vu

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So apparently today’s snow was the most snow the city has seen in two years. For some reason, that makes it sound like some massive amount of snow…as if it were a blizzard or something.

The truth is we just haven’t had much snow at all in the last few years. This year has been a joke. Anyway, in celebration of the snowfall, the MTA has suspended track work for the weekend.

In other news, I had a very odd thing happen to me today. I rode the exact same train, exact same car both to and from work today.

Just by chance, I noticed a Dr. Zizmor ad on the subway that had been defaced to say Dr. Douchebag. It stuck in my head because it gave me a little chuckle. Honestly, who goes to a doctor that advertises on the subway? That’s a top 10 trashy thing to do. If you need more details, this clown has a Wikipedia entry. I’m not linking to it because you can find it on your own.

Anyway, this afternoon, I got on the train to go home, and saw the exact same Dr. Douchebag ad! I was on the same train, same car, and standing in the exact same place as this morning.

That’s never happened to me before, at least that I’ve noticed.

MTA Doesn’t Like Sticky Stuff

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So apparently, the engineers at the MTA have been trying to wrap their heads around an enormously pressing issue.

Yes folks, the issue we speak of is (cue drum-roll): Gum on the floors.

Apparently, concrete is much harder to clean than granite tile.  However, concrete is much less expensive to install.  According to WCBS, a concrete train station runs about $400k.  Granite tile stations are well over $1 million.

So we are left with a major dilemma.  Floors that are cheap, but a bitch to clean, or expensive and easy to clean.

Either way, the floors are dirty as shit.

Those with the Most Money Vote for Everyone Else

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Well this just about sums it all up:

At least five members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s governing panel have seven-figure net worths. That’s nearly a third of the board empowered to vote on proposed hikes in subway, bus and commuter train fares.  [Daily News]

You know I’ve always had this idea kicking around in the back of my mind, but I never really got my hands around it. Why do the richest people make all the decisions for the poorest?

I guess that’s just life in all realms of politics, but you’d think there would be a little more flexibility on the local level. Why is it that the MTA Board is made up of wealthy people, a third of which are millionaires? For that matter, why is the MTA made up of so many people that don’t live in New York City? I know the MTA’s reach extends well beyond NYC, but the city sure does account for the bulk of that nugget.

What would it hurt to add a more representative face to the board? There should be members from all the boroughs, of varying economic class.

To be honest, the fare hike isn’t going to have an impact on my life. We’re talking a monthly increase equal to a cappuccino or two. But that’s just me. These millionaires are even more disconnected. It might not be a big deal for us, but I fear we are the minority.