Tag: subway

WOW. Gun Show on the Subway

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Holy hell, did you see all the guns on the subway today?  Apparently, it’s all part of “Operation TORCH,” a new federally funded security initiative.

The NYPD received a $30 million grant to increase subway security in a major way.  However, it seems like they are only focusing on major subway hubs. 

The police units, part of a new program called Operation TORCH, will focus on major transit hubs, including Times Square, Herald Square and Grand Central Terminal, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. [1010 WINS]

I’m not sure what good that does.  I guess it deters an attack from those stations.  However, a terrorist could just get on at a different stop!

All they would have to do is get on a random stop and ride straight into Times Square or Grand Central and detonate a bomb.  So I don’t think it makes it any safer from a terrorism perspective.

On a petty crime level like purse snatching and pickpocketing, that will probably go down on the fortified stations, but that’s probably about it.

Getting to Brooklyn Today was Fun!

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And by fun, I mean it sucked big time. 

The Brooklyn bound 2 and 3 trains were definitely not running, but I heard there were issues with the 4 and 5 too, which makes sense.

There was allegedly a power failure somewhere near the crossing from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

In any event, that meant there were no 2, 3, 4, or 5 trains going to Brooklyn.  They all started turning around to come back uptown.  Lovely. 

They suggested taking the N, Q, R, W instead, but of course you would have needed to know that prior to 42nd Street to transfer.  Then of course, once you got to Brooklyn, you were pretty much out of luck, but at least you made if off the island.

Are people being pissy more than normal?

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I feel like I am running into the most bitchy people on the subway lately.  I mean this week!

There seem to be an especially high number of moody bitches causing problems on the train.  For what ever reason, it has still be crowded in the morning even though many schools are off this week.  So I don’k know what the deal is, but the trains are more crowded than ever this week.

On that note, people think if they cause a scene, somehow it is going to make things move quicker.

Have you noticed anything?

Speakers on the Outside of Subway Trains

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Subway Conductor

What a concept! [sarcasm]

The MTA has finally decided to outfit the old trains in the system with speakers mounted on the outside [Daily News] of the trains. That way, people outside the train can hear the announcements while standing on the platform.

I think we’ve all been in the situation where we’ve boarded a train only to realize that it is going to skip some stops. By then, it’s too late because the doors have already closed.

On those days where service is all f-ed up, these external speakers will come in handy. Since you can never rely on the MTA to make timely announcements over the platform PA system, at least you will be able to hear announcements from the trains when they are in the station.Read More »

Inflatable Subway Art?

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Artist Joshua Allen Harris decided one day to make an inflatable bear that automatically inflates when the subway passes by.

The flacid bear gets attached to a subway grate. The flow of air passing up from below as the train goes by inflates the bear to full, four-legged stance.

I’m not really sure if i find the bear itself a little creepy though. Either way, it is very cool.

I’m shocked the artist wasn’t arrested by homeland security though.

Congestion Pricing Moves Forward to Albany

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New York City Council has officially backed Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan, which now moves forward to Albany for approval.

Just to recap, the plan would charge drivers an $8.00 fee for driving below 60th Street from 6am – 6pm. There are provisions in the plan which allow for credits when paying a toll to enter the city. So if you paid $6.00 to cross a bridge on the way into the city, for example, you would only owe an additional $2.00 that day.

However, if you were parked below 60th Street or otherwise already in the city and drove below 60th Street, you would be charged the full $8.00.

So what the hell does this have to do with the subway?

Well, the city stands to receive $354 million in federal funding to help launch the congestion pricing plan. This money would pay for the fee collection infrastructure, as well as fund initial mass transit improvements.

The goal with the congestion pricing plan is to encourage people to leave their cars at home more often, and rely on mass transit. Of course, this means that the transit system would need to increase service, and increase reliability. So much of the federal funding would go towards these initiatives…at least so they say.

So now the plan heads to Albany for state approval. The State Legislature is in the middle of finishing the budget, however the plan deadline is quickly approaching.

Congestion pricing needs to be approved by April 7th in order to obtain the federal funding.

Way back in July, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno ironed out a deal with Spitzer to get the plan passed.  Let’s hope that still stands.

Subway Schmutziness Down Year to Date

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Subway trash

The Straphangers Campaign released a report on the improvement of subway cleanliness. They say that the state of train dirt and has improved over the past few years.

I guess, for the most part, that is true in my observation.

They found that the L train and 7 train were the cleanest this year. The E and the Q trains rolled in with scores just above dumpster on wheels.

The scientific formula that governs train grime must be a combination of the train age, and overall usage. I find that the oldest cars just have a feeling of being dirtier. Then, throw on heavy usage, and it’s a recipe for grossness.

The strategy of having the lines individually managed may not be a great idea when it comes to custodian services. Something like cleaning the trains should simply be standardized across all the lines. Sure, increase the frequency on trains that are used more, and maybe a little less on lines lighter traveled. In general though, it should be something standard, and easy to manage.

“Passengers on the L and 7 are riding cleaner cars, thanks to more cleaners and better use of them,” said Gene Russianoff, campaign staff attorney. “We congratulate New York City Transit and hope that riders on the other lines will soon be seeing cleaner subway cars.”

Now, if only we could get them to do more than just empty the trash on the platforms (if that).

I said a long time ago that I don’t think it would be completely out of the question to have the platforms power washed a few times a week. Cleaning a station could be easily done with a power sprayer and the occasional brush. Look at the average train platform. Concrete or tile floors with white subway tile walls. Basically, a giant shower stall! So just break out the hose and go to town.

Cutting down on the black, sooty brake dust and dirt would be great. Aaaaaand that would keep the inside of the trains cleaner too!

Bull Sh*t Alert: MTA Postpones Upgrades

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Remember way back when the MTA promised that part of the new fare hike would include some general system upgrades with a $30 million improvement package? Yeah well, the MTA has decided they’re just gonna hold off on that for a lil bit.

This is such bullshit, it drives me nuts. If this is the stuff they can get away with, they should have just promised to make $900 million in improvements. Either way, they weren’t going to do it in the first place.

Here’s what we’re not getting:

More frequent service on the G line in Brooklyn and Queens, extending B and W service on weeknights to 11 p.m. from the current 9:30 p.m., and shaving one or two minutes from waiting times for evening service on the 1, 4 and 6 lines.

So much for that plan.  I guess at the end of the day, it just means more of the same for your commute.  For the few of us that actually pay an strange amount of attention to the happenings of the subway, we will be the only ones that get ultra pissed.

But riders having to now pay higher fares should be pissed.  Part of the “agreement” were these system improvements.

They say that if the MTA finance department can get their act together by June, the improvements might still have a chance.  Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.  I love how these financial troubles are all of a sudden brought up now…after the fare hike has already happened.  Where was this information earlier?  Saying that the numbers weren’t in is just bull.  It’s not like they are being sent in by carrier pigeon.  All you need to do is look up the tax forecasts etc. and you would have been able to see that the MTA wasn’t going to make as much this year.

So they should not have offered the improved services in the first place, or upped the fare $0.25 on the single ride fare.