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What I really don't understand is why the fares can't be raised/added on bridges rather than raising the MTA fare. The average mass transit user can't bear the burden of an increased cost as easily as a car driver can.
Plus, if you drive your car into the city every day, the amount of pollution you produce is much more than an MTA rider. You're spewing pollution into the air... you deserve to further subsidize those who make environmentally-minded choices.
There are a few things i particularly like about the NYC Subway:
1. Cost. The first thing i do when i get to NYC is get my metrocard. What is it these days... $25 for 7 days? Even with the terrible current exchange rate that is still about £18. No other transport costs for the whole week. What a bargain!
2. The 24/7 operating hours. Many a night ive had to run out of pub in Central London to get my last tube - spoiling a good night. Not a problem in NYC
3. This may sound a little silly, but i like the fact that most of the subways are only just below ground level so the actual journey from the street to the train isnt too far. In many of the Central London tube stations the platforms are so deep and quite a distance from the tube entrance, so it can seemingly take an age to actually get on the train.
There are a few things i particularly like about the NYC Subway:
1. Cost. The first thing i do when i get to NYC is get my metrocard. What is it these days... $25 for 7 days? Even with the terrible current exchange rate that is still about £18. No other transport costs for the whole week. What a bargain!
2. The 24/7 operating hours. Many a night ive had to run out of pub in Central London to get my last tube - spoiling a good night. Not a problem in NYC
3. This may sound a little silly, but i like the fact that most of the subways are only just below ground level so the actual journey from the street to the train isnt too far. In many of the Central London tube stations the platforms are so deep and quite a distance from the tube entrance, so it can seemingly take an age to actually get on the train.
It was always my experience as a conductor that people from out of town see the good things about our subways--and the New Yorkers are the ones who do the complaining. So...thanks for the perspective!
the NYC transit system has come an EXTREMELY long way in the last 30 years. No other system in the world can say that.
This subway system has new cars with clear sign designations, up to date route maps BUILT into the cars, and clear announcements. They are also fairly clean, air conditioned, and very quiet. If you dont believe me .. go take a ride on the 2, 4, 5, L lines.
Why do I say it has come a long way? Well have any of you actually remember the subway in the 70's or 80's? I surely do. You use to get cars with lights out, route signs way off, cars where 1 door would open in the enitre car, filthy with grafitti, no air conditioning, and soo noisy that your ears would ring after riding. Half the time the train would get stuck at the station because the doors wouldnt close.
I would gladly pay 2.50 a ride for those improvements.
I'd agree, but I wouldn't want to pay more for less, especially in an economy like this. If it was good and the raises were being used to improve service instead of fixing the financial mismanagement of the MTA, then that would be a different story.
Maybe we'll be luckier than we all deserve and John Liu will run for and win the Mayoralty in the coming election. Anyone who's followed his career as City Councilman from Flushing knows how he's been on MTA's case over their finances. (It would be quite amusing to see how MTA reacts to a Liu candidacy. I'm sure they'd throw a lot of money at whoever was running against him; they have very little use for the man. Which is, of course, an excellent reason to put him in Gracie Mansion).
Somehow I dont believe anyone when they say they would be willing to pay more for better service, or if "economic times were better." If economic times were better, the argument would be "the MTA is making lots of money, why should we pay more!"...or "we don't want to pay more, it's lousy service!"...there is always a reason/argument NOT to pay more...so I don't believe anyone saying they would be willing to pay more if this/that. Secondly, I do believe the MTA needs to clean up their act and streamline their gargantuan money pit/bureaucracy..but it will never happen.
...there is always a reason/argument NOT to pay more...
That's certainly true! And another thing that virtually every New Yorker who uses mass transit overlooks (whether intentionally or not) is the fact that the system is based on a flat fare. Just imagine what kinds of screaming and yelling there would be if anyone suggested a zone system, like most other cities employ.
Maybe we'll be luckier than we all deserve and John Liu will run for and win the Mayoralty in the coming election. Anyone who's followed his career as City Councilman from Flushing knows how he's been on MTA's case over their finances. (It would be quite amusing to see how MTA reacts to a Liu candidacy. I'm sure they'd throw a lot of money at whoever was running against him; they have very little use for the man. Which is, of course, an excellent reason to put him in Gracie Mansion).
As a Queens resident and a follower of city politics, I really like John Liu. I doubt he'll run, but I wouldn't object if he ran for something else and won.
I agree the system is efficient, but my wish list would include: A TOTAL subway FACELIFT!!!!!!!!!!! Direct Airport routes(to LGA, JFK and Newark trains are a freaking headache), East-West train routes, new turn styles making it easier for luggage and strollers (ATL-Marta has nice ones), Cleaner platforms-daily power wash would be nice.
The Metro in DC and Marta in ATL are good examples of a more esthetic subway experience. NY subway in my opinion has some catching up to do.
I'm not saying all at once, but a station at a time would be nice.
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It was always my experience as a conductor that people from out of town see the good things about our subways--and the New Yorkers are the ones who do the complaining. So...thanks for the perspective!
