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Comic Relief For Today!

Posted by
on October 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

Yesterday’s Daily News provided some MTA comic relief. The relief was so funny, it could last for awhile! The New York Daily News’ transit reporter Pete Donohue wrote about a request/warning the MTA will pass on to straphangers. The request/warning has to deal with the use of cell phones or other electronic devices underground during extreme emergencies.

According to MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin, the MTA does not want straphangers to attempt to contact anyone during an extreme emergency. Their fear is the use of cell phones or other electronic devices could trigger explosive devices. Mr. Soffin explained the MTA’s stance:

“In the immediate aftermath of an incident, our employees need the full attention of our customers to ensure the fastest and safest communication of information and potential evacuation. We also exercise extreme caution in limiting use of any electronic device that could potentially serve as an accidental detonator during such an incident.”

Mr. Soffin also shared a comment about the potential calling of 911 or other emergency services during an extreme emergency. This was his comment in regards to the MTA’s line of thinking:

“These are situations when there is clearly an MTA employee responding and communicating with emergency responders.”

I have to die laughing (no pun intended) at the MTA’s request/warning. Lets just use a little common sense & examine a possible extreme emergency scenario. When such a scenario would take place, the first initial thoughts are how to get out alive, & to contact loved ones as soon as possible. This would all take place while trying to pick up information from employees. Assuming the scenario is of a possible doomsday scenario, do you really think communication between employees & straphangers will be that good to begin with?

Does the MTA really think people are going to just sit or stand around twiddling their thumbs? No, people will attempt to contact loved ones as that action is wired into one from birth. While I can understand the fear to some degree about possible detonation, the predetermined mentality of contact will override the MTA’s request/warning.

I seriously think the MTA should move out of the transportation world & enter into the world of comedy. They have truly missed their calling!

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Congestion Pricing Plan Alternatives

Posted by
on October 15th, 2007 at 2:32 pm

This past Friday, a coalition of business, civic, & labor organizations known as Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free released alternatives to Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan. The goal of the coalition’s plan is to ease traffic in Manhattan’s central business district. Their plan calls for the following:

  1. Increased meter parking (Including introducing metered parking on streets where you can currently park for free)
  2. Expansion of taxi stands
  3. Raising parking ticket fines (Mainly increases to fines that cause congestion such as double parking, blocking intersections, etc…)
  4. Reducing the number of parking permits issued to city employees
  5. Adjusting traffic signals to help traffic flow smoothly
  6. Creating traffic information updates that can be sent to electronic devices

The coalition sent their plan to the same commission in charge of studying Mayor Bloomberg’s plan. The coalition claims their plan would generate more money for mass transit than the mayor’s plan. They claim their plan would cut congestion anywhere between 7 to 11 percent compared to only 6.3% in Mayor Bloomberg’s plan.

Mayor Bloomberg was quick to respond to the coalition’s report. He ridiculed the report on his weekly radio address hours after it was released on Friday. He argues that the coalition’s plan only looks at half the equation while his plan encompasses the entire situation. He also shared the following quote:

“So people that come up with a solution say there’ll be fewer cars coming in _ yeah that’s great, but that’s half the problem. Where’s the money come from for the other side?”

Walter McCaffrey, a spokesman for Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free had this to say:

“Real and better alternatives exist to reduce traffic congestion more effectively and comprehensively without any need to implement a drastic plan which will disrupt the lives of many residents, senior citizens, working people and small businesses in our city.”

Personally I do not support any sort of congestion pricing plan. I have made my feelings known in this entry.

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2

Estate Of Late “Godfather” Actor Files Lawsuit…..

Posted by
on October 15th, 2007 at 2:31 pm

This past Thursday, John Avots who is the executor of Mr. Bright’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit at the Manhattan Supreme Court against Academy Bus LLC. Richard Bright best known for appearing in the 3 “Godfather” movies was killed by an Academy Bus at the intersection of West 86th Street & Columbus Avenue.

According to the court papers filed, Mr. Bright was crossing with the light when the bus failed to signal before making the turn from West 86th Street onto Columbus Avenue. The papers went on to say that Mr. Bright became stuck underneath a rear tire which dragged him for an unspecified distance. We also learn that the subsequent dragging led to the following:

  1. Crushed pelvis
  2. Multiple fractures to both legs
  3. Near amputation of both legs
  4. Fractures to all of his ribs
  5. Punctures to both lungs

The court papers also shared some disturbing quotes about the incident mostly pertaining to the bus driver’s actions including how the driver “despite hearing someone banging on the side of the bus, did not stop after running over Bright,” & Instead, he continued on his route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal where he was subsequently located by police.”

The estate is looking for unspecified “pecuniary damages for the decedent’s conscious pain and suffering and his wrongful death.”

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C Train Service Alert

Posted by
on October 12th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

Updated @ 4:12 p.m.

Bypassed stations are: Liberty Avenue, Van Siclen Avenue and Shepherd Avenue.

As an alternate, customers are advise to take the Euclid Avenue-bound c to the Euclid Avenue Station and take the168th Street-bound c train.

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The MTA has posted a service alert regarding the C train. The service alert states:

Due to signal problems at the Shepherd Avenue Station, Euclid Avenue-bound c trains are running express from the Broadway Junction Station to the Euclid Avenue Station.

Please expect delays in c train service at this time.

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F & G Train Service Alert

Posted by
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Updated @ 4:07 p.m.

& service has resumed with only residual delays.

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Updated @ 3:37 p.m.

Due to signal problems at the Fort Hamilton Parkway Station, Jamaica-bound f trains are running express between the Church Avenue Station and the Smith-9th Streets Station.

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The MTA has posted a service alert regarding the F & G trains. The service alert states:

Due to track work at the Carroll Street Station, please expect delays in service on the f and g in both directions at this time.

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