MTA Approves $93 Million in Service Cuts

Supplemented from 1010WINS:

http://www.1010wins.com/SOUND-OFF--MTA-Approves--93-Million-in-Service-Cut/6648110

As you can see, we're all screwed. And on the heels of this massive cut, they're already talking about another cut. Pretty soon, you won't be able to get to work either because you can't afford to and/or there will be no transportation available from your area of residence.

This is disjusting - I say AUDIT THE MTA!! NAd make sure they in no way have any involvement in selecting their auditor. This should now be taken out of the hands of New York State hands.

Bronx straphangers lose express service for 18 months - NYPOST.com

And here we go again....why must we 5 train riders be tortured like this? The funny thing about this is NO AT MY JOB thinks that I go through drama getting to work and i always have to take crap when I'm five or so minutes late. Why they don't understand it's because of things like this, I will never know. So instead of having to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get to work relatively on time. I now have to get up at the butt butt crack of dawn. Cue allt he rapists and robbers, tons of potential victims leaving their house extra early to catch the 5. EXTRA 5 MINUTES MY ASS!!!! Read the full bullshit story below coutesy of the NY Post

Bronx straphangers lose express service for 18 months - NYPOST.com

Updated: Thu., Mar. 11, 2010, 7:38 AM
Bx. faces a brutal re'train'ing
By SHARI LOGAN and TOM NAMAKO

Last Updated: 7:38 AM, March 11, 2010

Posted: 2:52 AM, March 11, 2010

Slow it down, Bronx straphangers.

The MTA is shutting down express service on the 5 train in The Bronx for 18 months due to repairs.

Starting at the end of March, riders will have to stop at seven more stations between 180th Street near the Bronx Zoo and Third Avenue-149th Street in Melrose, similar to the 2 train's current route.

"This line is already overcrowded, and this will make it even more jammed," said Jesse Vann, 64, who frequently uses the line to visit his sister.

The MTA insists the extra stops will add only five minutes to the overall commute, although Vann says the agency is way off.

The MTA isn't factoring in for time spent waiting in the station as people hold the doors and cram into the cars, he said.

Riders expect to wait as much as an additional half-hour.

"I'll be adding another 30 minutes on to my commute," said college student Karina Abila, 22.

"People on the 5 are using the line to get to work or school in a hurry," she fumed. "Eighteen months is too long of a change."

The express service runs during weekday morning and evening rush hours. The shutdown will last until August 2011. The MTA said riders will get a rehabbed 180th Street station and new signals on the line.

"I'm going to factor in another 15 minutes for my commute," said nurse Riuvelle Soto, 48.

"I ride the line regularly and they are always stopping between stations, sometimes for minutes, because they say there's train traffic ahead of us. That's going to get worse now."

tom.namako@nypost.com

Metro Life Panel Survey - What would your Answers be?

I recently got this survey from Metro Panel regarding the horrific entity known as the MTA. I thought I'd share with you guys. What would your answers be?

To cover its $800 million budget gap the MTA plans to close or scale back 17 subway lines and 50 local and express bus routes. Students may lose free MetroCards. What do you think of New York City's cash-strapped transit system?

Which do you use most often to get around the city?

Bus
Subway
Walk
Bike
Taxi
My own car. Suckers.

A 7.5% fare hike is planned for 2011, and bus and subway lines will be reduced. If the MTA had to choose between raising fares above 7.5% or cutting service, they should:

Raise the fare beyond 7.5% . I need my bus to get to work!
Cut service. It's already too expensive to ride the system.

Should 500 station agents lose their jobs if it means preventing further service cuts and fare hikes?

Yes, the jobs they'll cut aren't vital.
No, in this economy nobody can afford to lose his or her job. The MTA needs to find other revenue sources without layoffs.

Will having less station agents affect security in subway stations?

Yes, I've seen or heard of them stopping turnstile jumpers and crime. I feel safer knowing someone's there.
No, I don't feel safer having them around. Stopping crime is what the police are for.

Do you think station agents are useful in terms of helping lost riders and providing information?

Yes, they are vital to keeping our subway system running smoothly.
They are somewhat useful but could be friendlier and more helpful.
No, they are not useful at all.

Some have proposed that the MTA use federal stimulus funds (intended for capital projects) to cover day-to-day expenses and prevent service cuts and layoffs. Do you agree?

Yes, if that means avoiding service cuts, fare hikes and layoffs.
No, capital money should never be used for operating costs.

What is the worst thing about the transit system? (My favorite question - but I can only pick ONE!!???)

Overcrowding
It's filthy
Too much time between trains
Horrible weekend service
It's expensive

What's the best thing about the transit system? - HA, HA, HA, they're kidding right?

Affordable fare
24-hour service
Speed and reliability
Accessibility
Subway entertainment

What do you think a subway ride is worth? - (Going by service, I'd pick $0.00, too bad it's not an option)

$1.00
$1.50
$2.25
$3.00

Starting March 1, the MTA will hold public meetings to discuss planned service cuts. Will you attend?

Yes.
No.
I haven't made up my mind yet.

Right now NYC public school kids get free MetroCards. Starting next year students will have to pay for their fare. Who should chip in?

The state
The city
The MTA
Parents

Union workers got a 3% raise this year and are scheduled to get another one in 2011. In light of the MTA's financial trouble, should union workers receive this raise?

Yes.
No.

Do you have any comments you'd like to share?

YEAH - Read this blog for my opinion on the MTA

The MTA is Poisoning US

Imagine being stuck in a room that was just chemically cleaned, windows are shut and you're in there for an hour - what would the effects be?

This has happened to me numerous times on the 5 train. As I've stated numerous times, I live off the next-to-the-last-stop ont he 5 train, which heading downtown means I'm the second stop. My commute is an hour and like other times, I got on the 5 as usual only to be struck with a very strong chemical odor. You know the kind, the one that gives you an instant headache, makes you start coughing and feel nausea. yes ladies and gentlemen, we're inhaling poison for an hour (At least I am)

Now, I'm all for the cleaning of the subway cars, god knows some people are utterly disgusting but I wonder if it is at all possible that either 1. The MTA becomes green with it's cleaning supplies or 2. let the damn train dry and air out before sending it down the tracks.

It's things like this that have people running to doctors with strange symptoms and illnesses that cannot be explained. Come on MTA, if riding the subway is so green because we're reducing our carbon footprint, why not make it green so we can be healthier.

That being said, excuse me while I take two Excedrin for this headache.

Where is the love? and the apology!

When did it become ok to bump into someone, hit them with your bag or step on their foot and NOT follow with an apology? Seriously? You're just going to pretend you didn't damn near sideswipe me?

This has happened to me so many time. It is the main reason I carry a big handbag, whether it was an accident or not, it is common courtesy to apologize. We know the train is crowded but still.....come on. I'm not ashamed to say that if someone does any of the above to me and doesn't furnish some sort of apology, even if it's just a very short Sorry then I proceed to adjust my bag (a bit roughly). If the person really pisses me off, then I adjust several times throughout the commute.

Many people might think that the majority of teens are responsible for this lack of respect but surprisingly, it's the adults that are the worst. As I said I've experienced this quite a bit but there waas one incident where this middle-aged A..HOLE who was sitting down actually kicked me, looked at me dead in my face and didn't say a word. needless to say he not only got a face full of my bag, I made sure to step on his feet and accidentally hit his knee on my way out

Violent Idiots

It's people like this that continue to piss me off about riding the train. I'm sure by now you guys are well aware of the two men who were fighting on the 6 train (a train I have to transfer to on my daily commute to work) with one man punching the other man's wife/girlfriend in the face. Here it is below -

BE ADVISED - It's gory so Parental Advisory first (anyone 17 and under - stay away)



My issues with this is not only are these idiots fighting but also the guy that hit the woman like she was a boxing opponent is dead wrong - you don't hit women, she didn't deserve that.

I also have a problem with the people who were NOT trying to stop this from happening but chose to film the damn thing instead - you can hear the guy with the camera shouting hold the train doors!! If I was on that train, you guys know my facebook would have probably blown up from complaining about these idiots making me late. The bad thing is things like this happen almost daily and with each ticking clock - your frustration level increases 10X

Where were the damn cops anyway? - I see a few arrests that should have happened. I think with the cutbacks that we will be faced with soon, we are more likely to see more incidents like this.

Introduction - Issues with the MTA Subway

Anyone who has read my Facebook statuses know exactly why I started this blog, hell many have suggested I start it, but for those of you who don't know, here goes -



I'M CURSED TO RIDE THE SUBWAY EVERYDAY!!



If you live in NYC and have ever had to take the subway, chances are you know what I'm talking about becuase you have heard any (or all) of the following phrases on your commute through NYC:



"Because of an earlier incident, this (insert train number/letter here) is delayed"

"Because of an earlier incident, this (insert train number/letter here) is out of service"

"Because of a passenger needing medical assistance, this (insert train number/letter here) is delayed"

"Because of a police investigation, this train is being held in this station"

"We are experiencing train traffic"

"This is the last stop" (of course it's never the stop you need to get to)



The above are just a few of the ones I hear on a daily basis. The one that mainly gets on my nerves the most - mainly because I hear it the most is Train Traffic. Exactly what the hell is train traffic??????



During the summer was the worst for me because I already practically live in the North Pole (actually the stop before the very last on the 5 train) and the MTA decided this is the perfect time to do "track work" on the express track, so my train had to be on the local track - I am not lying when I say I only saw workers on the track once...ONCE and even now my subway stop is peppered with signs indicating more track work. Among the exciting adventure I along with my neighbors have to endure is no trains running near us on the weekends - welcome to the Shuttle Bus. Imagine trying to squeeze an entire train full of people onto a bus - yeah exactly!


Anyway, if I continue, i will never finish but the above is what you may see me complain about as well as other topics like people who fight onthe subway, shove you out of the way to beat you to a seat, weird things (this is NY afterall).