The New York Transit System

[Anonymous]

Recently, I was up in Brooklyn, New York to celebrate my mother's birthday. Before I went by her place, I'd stopped off at this model train store to buy a Walther's HO scale catalog. If any of you are familiar with the New York Transit system like I am, then you know the routes have both a letter or a number, along with a corressponding color. Well this hobby store in on the 'F' line, which travels down McDonald Avenue, above ground, at a certain point. There's
also two other stops on the 'F' line where it travels high above ground for just two stops. At one these two stops, called Smith & 9th Streets, I had to get off the 'F' train to change to the 'G' train. Well, let me tell you, that had to be one of the coldest waits I've ever had to make. The station has to be one of the highest around in that city, because it straddles the Gowanes Canal. The station is in such poor shape, that I'm surprised as to why the city's transit agency just doesn't abandone it. The platform is crumbling, the canopy has such huge holes in it, you'd probably still get wet when it rains, and there no type of elevator or even an escalator for the elderly to get up to the platform. I can't believe that New York's Transit Authority would allow things like this to get so bad. I strongly feel that until there's some kind of improvement at "THAT" station and several others, that they should close them down until they can make the nessecary repairs "AND" improvements to give the people of New York City quality transportation! It's a shame that people have to live like this and put up with it! Although, New York's system is still reasonable priced as compared to other cities' systems, to have your infrastructure in such dismal shape of disrepair, that it's nothing short of shameful! Thank you all for your time and patiance and hope to exchange more ideas with everyone soon!


Happy Railroading
Glenn
A "R E A L" RAILROADER...A "T R U E" AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daveklepper]

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the big cheese, has an office at 347 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017, and it would be a great idea if you wrote them a compaint letter. The New York City Transit Authority's offices are on Livingston Street and on Jay Street in Brooklyn, but I don't have the right number addresses or zip code in my head right now . Jef Erlitz, who is a transportation planner for the NYCTA, is also a real railfan and can be reached care of the New York Division, Electric Railroaders' Association, P. O. B. 3001, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. Next time ride one or two more stops and change underground at Carol or Bergen Streets. Or if the weather is nice, use Smith-9th and enjoy it being a really great place for photographs --if you like subway cars with the Manhattan skyline in the background! Dave

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dave. I'm an ex Brooklynite, son of a MTA employee(my father). He worked his way up from conductor to train dispatcher out at Stillwell Avenue at Coney Island. I know
about the two offices in the downtown Brooklyn area, but thank for the MTA Manhattan address. That city's subway system has been in rebuilding mode since I left to join the Army back in 1983! The "NEW" 63st tunnel which opened for service when I was still in the military, was actually built when I was in elementary school in the 60's and the 70's.
There's no denying that the city's n a financial crisis, but so is this entire country. They have been rebuilding all the East River and Harlem River bridges around the same time. I mean, the city's infrastructure is in the toilet...flush!! It's a damn shame for one of
the greatest engineering marvels of our time to be looking like "CRAP"(for lack of a better word). I know New Yorkers can be nasty, and I see why the subways can't stay clean, but for the structure to look like they are about to cave in or topple, there's "NO EXCUSE" for. My father would be turning over in his grave if he knew how bad, the system he worked for and dedicated his life to, was in a shambles. New cars do not look well besides rundown stations. Mayor Bloomberg and his MTA cronies(crooks), need to loosen up those purse strings and let some off that hidden budget surplus($500 million dollars worth) be put to good use! Once again, thank you Dave! Happy Railroading!!!



Glenn
was actually built

[jchnhtfd]

Oy... take it easy! The New York transit system isn't the neatest cleanest tidiest system in the world, granted. However... (and Glenn, your dad could still be proud of it!) consider this: it is the world's largest. It carries more passengers per day than any other, and more passengers per day than even live in all but a few large cities. It is safe. It is reliable.