Oh, if only real subway rides were this cheerful! Photo via MTA.
New York City’s most important services — including schools, mass transit and housing — are largely under the control of the state, and state lawmakers appear to be too busy collecting payoffs and helping out themselves and family members to care. In case you hadn’t heard, pundits now rank New York as the most corrupt state in the country. (Take that, New Jersey!) Governor Cuomo has said that there’s too much going on at the statehouse these days — what with all the subpoenas! — to discuss issues like rent and the controversial 421A tax abatement for developers.
More than ever, it’s a shame we’re dependent on the state for virtually all major decisions affecting the city.
But advocates are mobilizing now to try to force action before the end of the legislative session in June.
On Thursday at 5, a tenant rally is scheduled at Foley Square at the corner of Centre Street and Worth Street, to speak out about rent laws. Rent regulation is set to expire on June 15 if the state doesn’t act. Advocates want stronger rent laws, and the repeal of vacancy decontrol.
State legislators are also dragging their heels on mass transit. Subway service has gotten noticeably worse in the past couple of years, with subway delays up a whopping 45% last year. And now the state appears set to starve the MTA’s capital budget — likely leading to even worse delays, and significant fare hikes. There’s a budget gap for capital projects of at least $14 billion, and time is running out for action before the legislative session ends in June.
The Rider’s Alliance launched a petition asking Gov. Cuomo to ride the subway at 8:30 a.m. on a weekday to see what it’s really like to squeeze in with New Yorkers, instead of riding in a carefully choreographed photo op. The Rider’s Alliance is helping lead the fight to increase public transit funding, and you can learn how to get involved here.
It doesn’t look likerush hour in that pic. The train train he is on is a nicer newer model that I sometimes get on the 7 line….have him ride the 4-5-6 or the A-C-E and then we will talk….
Yeah, that clearly wasn’t at rush hour. Or if it was the train must have been cleared beforehand.
Security probably cleaned and is infected the car before they got on!
I meant DISINFECTED the car!
They were probably at the Transit Museum after closing time. lol.
That is not a normal car!!!!
You left out the sweaty stinky commuters, the drunks, homeless, strollers, food containers, and the rats…oh wait..a few of them ARE on the train in this shot.
Where are the women?
As subways and streets crumble DeBlasio steps up to provide more corproate welfare to developers while working people get the dregs.
The Mayor doesn’t think New Yorkers appreciate him. Maybe he should stay in NYC and listen! But he likes it on the road where he can pretend!