Lipstick On A Pig

The MTA may sell corporate sponsorships of subway stations. This would generate cash for New York City Transit while granting station-naming rights to the company. It would also create mass confusion for mass transit riders. They’d be forced to relearn already familiar train stop names. Instead, why not offer exclusive advertising and special rates throughout select stations? That revenue could be used to improve that station. In the long run, changing a station’s name won’t make the subway look, smell or run any better. Money and effective management will. MTA-Mass Transit Authority-Must Try Again.

Subways Will Be Sub-Par For Some Time

NYC Transit President Howard Roberts Jr. spoke the train truth. It’s something all transit riders know but didn’t want to hear from an MTA official. Even with increased ridership in 2008 and two projected fare hikes over the next three years, there won’t be enough money to fix the subway’s maintenance and service problems. In fact, serious problems are very likely to get much worse. New York City has 468 train stations. Less than 25% are considered “acceptable” (probably a lot less than that) by MTA standards. Roberts claims his predecessors cut cleaning and maintenance services which exacerbated the problems. For example, we’re down to one cleaner patrolling five stations. Safety inspections are conducted every 72 hours instead of every 24 hours as before. The list of health and safety concerns stretches longer than an eight car train! The 3rd rail of the situation is this. The health and safety of riders is threatened every time they ride. Current thinking and approaches will probably never make a meaningful difference to correct these conditions. New people and new innovative ideas must be introduced NOW to fix the problems. Who can lead us from this gloomy and dangerous tunnel we’re in?

MTA Urging “Nay” If You’re Not O.K.

The New York City Transit Authority wants to discourage ill passengers from riding the trains. According to their findings, in 2007, over 6,000 train delays resulted from riders who had medical emergencies on board. The MTA is posting signs that read, “Feeling under the weather today? Best thing to do is not get on the train.” Other messages of “concern,” too. However, no mention is made of passengers made sick by subway service in general. Perhaps their next rate increase might be easier justified by subsidizing health care for all riders.

Con Ed Steamed Over Idea To Cool It

In the wake of last July’s deadly steam pipe explosion in midtown, some here are openly questioning whether steam is still vital for power generation. Currently, steam accounts for only 5% of Con Ed’s business. So, if steam service has been reduced to this level, why not completely? For several reasons, chief among them being public safety and maintenance costs, it seems logical to replace this century-old system with electric or other technologies. Yet, Con Ed spokesman Bob McGee declared, “Doing without the steam system in New York’s energy mix would be like commuters doing without the subway.” That poor analogy alone is enough to warrant independent study! Maybe the time has come to shut down the 105 miles of potential steam pipe bombs under the streets of Manhattan … and the hot air that escapes those who seek to justify it’s necessity.