QUOTE: M.T.A. Lyrics From The Kingston Trio at Large Date: 07/01/1959 Jacqueline Steiner/Bess Hawes Spoken: These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the M.T.A., is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population in the form of a subway fare increase. Citizens, hear me out! This could happen to you! (Eight bar guitar, banjo introduction) Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charley on a tragic and fateful day. He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family, went to ride on the M.T.A. Chorus: Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned and his fate is still unknown. (What a pity! Poor ole Charlie. Shame and scandal. He may ride forever. Just like Paul Revere.) He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston. He's the man who never returned. Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square Station and he changed for Jamaica Plain. When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel." Charlie couldn't get off of that train. (Chorus) Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station, crying, "What will become of me?!! How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea or my cousin in Roxbury?" (Chorus) Charlie's wife goes down to the Sculley Square Station every day at quarter past two, And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich as the train comes rumblin' through. (Chorus) Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal how the people have to pay and pay? Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien! Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A. (Chorus) He's the man who never returned. He's the man who never returned. Ain't you Charlie?
QUOTE: Caveat: These ramblings are not necessarily in order of events, but rather a free-flow of my thoughts and notes at the time of preparation. Therefore, it will not be uncommon for the reader to experience a back and forth reference to time and places as I proceed through this effort. The Staten Island Rapid Transit (S.I.R.T.) – Part One: At the beginning of the 20th Century, all the Boroughs of New York City had elevated and subway service with the exception of the Borough of Richmond (Staten Island). Over 100 years back, the Staten Island Rapid Transit operated a surface rail system with small steam engines and passenger cars taking people from one end of the island to the other (about 15 miles from St. George to Tottenville, the southernmost point in New York State). There were also branches emanating from St. George along the northern shore of the island and a parallel line to a popular summer spot, South Beach. The S.I.R.T. joined in partnership with the B&O, the nation’s oldest railroad, which also provided a valuable freight link across the island to New Jersey. With the introduction of trolleys to the island in 1895, the S.I.R.T. suffered a loss in ridership, throwing it into bankruptcy. When purchased by the B&O, ferry service to Manhattan was also included. A legacy somewhat lost in the history of the rather famous “Staten Island Ferry.” There were several well laid plans to link the island with the Borough of Brooklyn by tunnel. In 1925, the idea was to bring the BRT subway to Staten Island by way of a tunnel under The Narrows. Politics got in the way, funding arguments ensued, and the idea eventually faded into the file cabinet drawers of history. Time and smart management practices, along with a population “spurt” helped the S.I.R.T. through some rough years and it remained a viable mass transit like long after trolleys disappeared from the streets of Staten Island. However, a fine bus system, replaced the trolleys and eventually helped lead to the demise of two of the three branches. Today, the link between St. George and Tottenville still exists. The ending of passenger service on two of the three branches was primarily due to the actions of the New York City Board of Transportation. This body controlled all of the transit in the City with the exception of the S.I.R.T. and a few other surface lines. With the introduction of 12-cent fares, generous transfers and combination travel between bus and subway, the S.I.R.T. simply couldn’t compete. In 1953, the north shore and South Beach lines were discontinued.
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