Tag: nyc

NYC: Get Ready For A Taxi Fare Hike

subwaycreatures

NBC: The Taxi and Limousine Commission is planning hearings on whether to raise taxi fares by as much as 20 percent. City officials announced Monday that a public hearing is scheduled for May 31 to consider raising fares by 16 percent to 20 percent. Taxi owners and drivers have petitioned the commission to raise fares. Industry groups have cited high gasoline prices and the new livery fleet in the outer-boroughs. TLC Commissioner David Yassky said the commission will consider their petitions over the next couple of months. “The fare hasn’t changed since 2006, so it is reasonable for taxi drivers and fleet owners to put this on the table,” Yassky said. Base fare is now $2.50 plus $2 a mile. According to the Daily News, an average trip of 2.76 miles costs a rider $11.82. That would go up to more than $14 with a 20 percent hike.

 

Goddamn it! As if living in the city isn’t expensive enough now I gotta pay Habib $30 to get from the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side. Yea I know there’s always the subway, but have you ever been in the subway after 1 AM? Picture the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ Video meets Gangs of New York meets Animal House. Probably the last place in the world I wanna be when I’m drunk, have to piss, and feigning for a chicken gyro. My budget is gonna become tighter then a nun if this gets passed and it sounds like it will. Looks like Ramen noodles and PBRs are in the near future…the sacrifices we make!

Yes, Unfortunately They Still Do The Pantless Subway Ride

subwaycreatures

 

Got a text from MillerTime Saturday reminding me to document the ‘Pantless Subway Ride’ on Sunday. I said thanks for the reminder and said good call but there was absolutely no way I was going there. Not because the Giants were on TV winning the first ever playoff game in the new Giants Stadium, but because if you’ve ever seen the people who participate in this event you would stay home that day too. It’s rarely hot chicks wearing lingerie or sexy underwear. It’s always fat, ugly, hairy people who sprawl out on the subway trains and make you feel awkward as hell.

I also never understood how people could feel comfortable riding the trains like that in the first place. Put the cold weather aside for a second and think about all the disgusting things you’ve ever seen happen on the subway and these people only have a thin layer of cotton separating their bare skin from those surfaces. Some don’t even have that. The only thing I will thank them for is that they did it on a Sunday when the rest of America was watching football and I hope they all took bleach showers when they got home.

Rats Begin Subway Takeover, Bite Woman Downtown

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AM New York:

A rat bit a horrified straphanger earlier this week on a subway platform. The unidentified woman, described as being in her mid-20s, was waiting for the J train on a bench at the Chambers Street station about 9:30 Monday morning when, she said, the rodent peeked out from underneath and bit her right foot, which was unprotected by her open-toed shoes. “She was crying — she was quite hysterical,” when the woman went to the service booth at the station, a subway employee told amNewYork yesterday. “She had a cut … you could see the fresh blood,” he continued, adding that it was the first time he had heard of a commuter being attacked by a rat. The woman was taken to New York Downtown Hospital, according to an MTA document. Spokesmen for the hospital and the MTA did not comment by press time. While rats are fairly common in subway stations, most rodent bites occur when people at home try to release mice from traps, health department spokeswoman Susan Craig said. About 200 rodent bites are reported each year, according to city data. “The best way to prevent rats is to keep the subway stations clean,” Craig said. “The more people can do to keep garbage away, and to not throw garbage in the subway tracks — especially food — the less rats there will be.”

 

NYC rats are seriously no joke. Most are the size of kittens and just the nastiest subway creatures next to this guy. I was walking down the sidewalk late one night and I swear to god one ran out right in front of me and just stood there and stared at me as if to say ‘pay the toll asshole.’ He was not scared of me at all and looked at me like I was the crazy one. It’s not a surprise that this woman got bit but it surprises me what time it happened. 9:30am!? Shouldn’t rats be sleeping at that point? Commuters shouldn’t have to worry about rats at that time! Now if it were 5 or 6 hours earlier I can see them being all over. Fuck terrorism, I’m worried about getting bit by the rabid rats that are probably wandering the subway just spreading some undiscovered disease all over the place. This chick is probably dying a slow, painful death with her hair falling out and there is no cure in sight. Happy Friday!

NYC To Shut Down ALL Mass Transit!

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City officials say they’re preparing for the total shutdown of the nation’s largest mass transit system.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says officials expect to shut down the city’s entire transit system at some point Saturday afternoon ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irene, which is now forecasted to strike eastern Queens. He says service likely won’t be available again until sometime Monday or perhaps later.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Jay Walder says that the system can’t be safely operated with sustained winds of 39 mph or more. He says it will take at least eight hours to move all MTA equipment from low-lying storage areas and secure trains in protected areas, including in the system’s underground tunnels.

Bloomberg is urging residents of the city’s low-lying areas to begin evacuating tomorrow. He’ll decide whether to issue a formal evacuation order by 8 a.m.

Link: The Latest Hurricane Irene Maps, Forecasts
The Long Island Rail Road is reducing service in advance of Hurricane Irene touching down on Sunday.

The utility canceled some Friday trains to the East End and train equipment was being moved out of low-lying areas. All riders are being asked to take the storm into account when making plans. MTA officials say the rail road could be shut down entirely if the island is hit hard.

Suffolk County officials announced a voluntary evacuation of beach towns on western Fire Island on Thursday. They say that could become mandatory on Friday. Officials are asking ferry companies not to bring anyone to the island who doesn’t own a home there.

Campers at county parks are being asked to take a hike.

In Nassau County, residents on the Barrier Island on the south shore were told to prepare for evacuations unless the storm changes its track.

Emergency shelters are being set up around the island and residents are urged to pack kits with emergency supplies.

The Long Island Rail Road is reducing service in advance of the hurricane and officials say a total shutdown is possible.

Electric companies say they’re on high alert as Hurricane Irene heads our way.

Con Edison says extensive outages are possible as strong winds topple trees and power lines. Residents should stock up on batteries, flashlights and battery-operated radios.

Residents are urged not to touch any downed electrical wires, which can be dangerous. Other tips: if the power goes out, turn off lights and appliances to prevent an overload once it’s restored. If a utility line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay there and call for help.

Spokesman Chris Olert says officials are also keeping an eye on the steam system in Manhattan.

The Long Island Power Authority says it has hired 900 extra workers to deal with the storm.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered nursing, senior homes and hospitals in Zone A low-lying areas to evacuate beginning Friday. He asked these facilities and hospitals to coordinate evacuation efforts with health officials.

The mayor at a press conference Thursday said Hurricane Irene appears to be heading toward eastern Queens, New York.

Bloomberg says shelters will open for residents at 4 p.m. Friday. He also announced that the emergency command center had been activated.

Link: City-by-City Forecasts

The mayor also revoked all permits for outdoor events on Sunday. Permits for Saturday events in the Zone A areas must end by 2 p.m.

Zone A neighborhoods include coastal areas such as Battery Park City in lower Manhattan, Coney Island in Brooklyn and Far Rockaway in Queens.

City residents can look up their zone at www.nyc.gov.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and other elected officials are asking for voluntary evacuations of beach communities on western Fire Island.

They’re monitoring the weather to determine whether to call for a mandatory evacuation early Friday.

People can only get to and from the barrier beach communities by ferry.