"WTF? THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY"

Hi Friends!

I had every intention of giving my three pet "peeves" a rest. In no particular order, the issues are cell phone utilization, the problems of the homeless...and the NYC Subway system. Well...at least that was my intention - and I imagine that I will return to the first two issues sooner-or-later...but the subway issue came to the forefront yet again. And...there doesn't appear to be any end in sight.

Yes, I'm aware that the NYC subway system is very old, that a certain Mr. Robert Moses - self-appointed NYC and New York State "transportation czar" for decades in the early and mid-twentieth century - diverted necessary funds from the system to use for his highway and bridge program (thereby setting the stage for years of neglect, inefficiency and the postponement of maintenance/modernization of both trains and infrastructure (forcing the system to play "catch-up" ever since)...and that the city's perilous fiscal crisis of the mid-1970s led to further deterioration and neglect. Still...this is now the second decade of the twenty-first century...there have been years of dramatic fare hikes and much money and time spent on subway improvements. Yet...little improves. In the end, results all what really matters. Based upon the current situation in the subways, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA for short) isn't spending its money wisely or using its time efficiently. And...some of their actions are, well...to be blunt...stupid.

Let's take the most recent disaster, taking place yesterday. Evidently all kinds of issues resulting in the suspension of 7 train service back to Queens as well as a "spillover" effect virtually paralyzing the other Queens Boulevard lines (the E, the F, the M and N lines). Bad enough these types of problems are occurring fairly frequently despite regular maintenance and track work (at this point the problems should be few and far between - or even completely eliminated). But the MTA complicated a bad situation by:

- not correctly informing riders - or, evidently some of their own workers - regarding the nature of the problem. Hundreds of commuters continued to stream down the long 53rd street entrances despite the fact that the platforms below were already jammed with people. Announcements weren't especially helpful. And MTA workers provided wrong information. Token clerks shrugged their shoulders, admitting that "they didn't know what was going on."

- few transit police showed up to control the situation - and no one in authority attempted to keep people from entering the station (making a dangerous situation worse).

- no members of MTA management were on site - so far as I could tell - to assess the situation let alone take steps to improve it. In-other-words...everyone there was on their own. (Or...let the subway rider beware.)

- when the lengthy escalator - jammed with people - jarred to a sudden and dangerous halt - no one from station management appeared to take control of this problem either. Many were frightened. Some hurt. Others - closer to the street - revered direction and started walking back up....only to confront dozens of individuals who were still entering the escalator to walk down...despite the fact that it was clearly not operating. (These included a woman who looked about eight months pregnant. I stared at her...since she had to walk down anyway, why not take the stairs since it was possible the escalator could start without warning.)

- it was reported to me that on the station platforms below....which I never reached...the MTA workers there also were not very helpful, many providing information which turned out to be wrong.

Now the situation I just described took place at the Lexington Avenue E tran stop. Others I know who were attempting to get back to Queens reported to me that all along the line to Queens it was the same story. At the Roosevelt Avenue hub in Jackson Heights...were there is a connection between the 7 line and the E, F, R and M lines...there was practically a riot with tired, frustrated and stressed out people unsure where to go or what to do...and how they were able to make it safely home.

I ended up backtracking down to Grand Central and walking over to the west side where - after a lengthy wait - a caught a jammed M train....which - caught up in the chaos of the moment - took an extraordinarily long time to make its way through the East River tunnel and into Queens. At least, however, I was out of the station and safe from the hordes of people. As the M train moved along through the system, eventually picking up many who had gone through the same experience as myself - there was one thing I did notice: everyone on their phone, conversing, playing their games, texting if they had service, watching TV shows...quiet now as lambs being led out to be slaughtered, content with playing with their toys, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the NYC subway system had demonstrated once more an utter disregard for their personal safety and comfort. No one overtly angry. No one calling for the heads of the MTA. No one venting. No one...really...being.

Just happy playing with their toys. (Ooops...I guess I got a rant in regarding cell phones after all....)

So...a big "WTF" going out to the management and employees of the NYC MTA for failing its customers yet again. Another "WTF" for whomever is responsible at the MTA to make sure that the expenditures and time being invested on the system actually translate into improved subway riding conditions...and a major "WTF" to the riders of NYC who continue to take whatever abuse is thrown at them by "the man"...'cause if ya have your cell phone, life is good.

Isn't it?

"WTF!"

Bye for now, be safe!

Stevenn