Confusion Reigns in Express Bus
New bus system reminiscent of fascism
I’ve had a taste of fascism. It’s called the M15 express bus, whose route goes north on First and south on Second.
Let’s begin at the beginning. I got on at 14th Street. Having just missed the local, I wandered up the block where a crowd was gathering. I figured it was a bus stop for the new limited line when I saw those machines on the sidewalk. I stood in front of one as it mocked me: “Go ahead. Try to figure out how to get a ticket.” (FYI: Customer ambassadors are no longer on hand to help.) Read more
Subway Cuts Don’t Block this Advocate’s Vision
Albert’s push for service improvements runs express
Andrew Albert has a vision for the future of New York City transit. As the chairman of the Transit Riders Council and the representative from that committee to the MTA board, he knows what straphangers need most and also how the MTA can best bring about the changes. Read more
Coming to Columbus Avenue: Protected Bike Lane
By Dan Rivoli
Installation of a protected bicycle lane for Columbus Avenue is likely to start this summer and be completed in a matter of weeks. All together, the project may take as little as two months to finish.
Bicycling advocates have been pushing for Upper West Side bike lanes that are completely protected from automobile traffic, which is safer than lanes painted on the street. These lanes are said to be especially beneficial for seniors because the design cuts down on sidewalk bike riding. Read more
In Wake of Subway Stabbing, Concerns About Crime on Public Transit
In a blast from the not-so-fondly-remembered past, violent gang activity spilled out of Central Park into Manhattan subway stations last week, with one of the teens involved in the altercation getting stabbed.
According to the New York Post, the trouble began when one gang confronted another in Central Park. One group fled, heading down into the subway station at West 72nd Street and Central Park West and jumping the turnstiles. Read more
Renovated 96th Street Station Open to Straphangers
“I got a monthly. Here I go,” said State Sen. Bill Perkins, pulling his MetroCard out of his wallet inside the new expansion of the West 96th Street station.
Straphangers wiggled through a throng of MTA officials, elected representatives and press to access the new 96th Street station house—an above-ground entrance to the No. 1, 2 and 3 trains that sits on the Broadway median, between West 95th and 96th streets.
“It’ll be a showcase for the organization,” said Jay Walder, chairman and CEO of the MTA. Read more
Renovated 96th Street Station Open to Straphangers
“I got a monthly. Here I go,” said State Sen. Bill Perkins, pulling his MetroCard out of his wallet inside the new expansion of the West 96th Street station.
Straphangers wiggled through a throng of MTA officials, elected representatives and press to access the new 96th Street station house—an above-ground entrance to the No. 1, 2 and 3 trains that sits on the Broadway median, between West 95th and 96th streets. Read more
Bus Routes Spared, But Service Cuts Possible
New York City Transit released a new plan for service cuts Jan. 21, with the goal of saving $77.6 million. Upper West Side residents will bear less of the pain they would have endured under the old plan, proposed in December 2009. In the revised cuts, the M10 bus line that runs on Central Park West was saved from elimination. Overnight service through Central Park on the M79 and M96 bus lines, along with the M104, which runs along Broadway, were saved as well.
Here’s how the revised cuts will affect West Side buses and subways.
STRAPHANGERS GET SOL
The Columbus Circle station at 59th Street has been brightened up with a rainbow of colored porcelain tiles, which were installed to celebrate artist Sol LeWitt’s 82nd birthday.
LeWitt rose to fame during the late 1960s with a series of wall paintings that were part of an effort to break free from the limitations of canvas.
“LeWitt’s genius comes through in this artwork, which is a major work of precision with its curves and bands in vibrant color that completely fills the space. It will become a landmark and is a great tribute to one of our major artists,” said MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger.
The artwork by the late LeWitt is part of a larger MTA project for the Columbus Circle station, which is expected to be complete by March 2010. Other planned renovations include new flooring, lighting, a passenger restroom and a retail arcade.
MTA CUTS TO WS STATIONS
West Side subway stations are about to get a little lonelier for straphangers. The MTA, which has targeted stations for staff cutbacks, has detailed proposed changes that will reduce the number of subway employees.
“The plan to reduce staffing in subway station and to eliminate some secondary full-time agent booths is a part of New York City Transit’s larger cost-saving efforts,” wrote Howard Roberts, Jr., president of New York City Transit, in a letter to Council Member Gale Brewer.
The staff cuts are expected to take about six years to complete, according to the letter.
Express stops along the No. 2 and 3 train lines will have fewer station customer assistants. The Broadway entrance to the Columbus Circle station, at West 59th Street, will have reduced booth agent service hours—between 3:20 p.m. and 10:40 p.m.—and automated access the rest of the day.
A part-time station customer assistant at the West 72nd Street and Broadway express stop will be eliminated at the 71st Street entrance.
The West 94th Street entrance to the 96th Street express station will only have part-time booth-agent service, between 6:20 a.m. and 1:40 p.m.
Similar cuts will be made on local stops along the 1 line. The 66th Street Lincoln Center subway stop will lose two part-time station customer assistants at the Columbus Avenue kiosk and northbound platform on the Broadway side. On the 79th Street local 1 train stop, a full-time station customer assistant will be cut on the northbound side of the tracks. The West 86th Street station will lose two full-time station customer assistants and have part-time booth agent service on weekday mornings and late afternoons.
SUBWAY STAFF CUTS
Several Upper West Side subway kiosk booths are slated to close or lose employees in the upcoming year. The stations along the 1, 2, 3 train lines and the B,C local lines between the West 59th Street stop and the 116th Street stop will be affected.
The cuts are part of the elimination of a 2004 pilot initiative, the Station Customer Assistance Program, which had clerks leaving their booths to help riders in the station. By scrapping the program, 570 customer assistance employees and 26 supervisors will be eliminated in stations throughout the city. All affected stations will continue to have one full-time operated booth.
The program was nixed due to budget problems and declining revenue, according to the MTA. The savings to the MTA are expected to be $52 million. The MTA is also cutting sanitation staff to save money.
Members of the transit union, local legislators and transit advocates are worried that the downsizing will leave subways unsafe and unsanitary.
Gene Russianoff, an attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, said the station staff is crucial for riders who need assistance while traveling and adds a sense of security.
“I strongly believe that station agents are the eyes and ears of the system,” Russianoff said. “Their motto is, ‘If you see something say something.’ The question now is to whom.”
