The bus stop at 86th street and Broadway at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Two days after the historic blizzard, fascination and wonderment is turning to frustration at times.
“This is creating a very dangerous situation at this busy stop,” Mary wrote to us, adding: “However, on Columbus Ave, the bike lane is shoveled right down to the pavement!”
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“This is creating a very dangerous situation at this busy stop,” Mary wrote to us, adding: “However, on Columbus Ave, the bike lane is shoveled right down to the pavement!”
gee the bike lane is clear yet the rest of us just have to lump it
I’m shocked, just shocked to hear that. Didn’t you see the thousands of people using it after they plowed it? Ha Ha
Very, very few people ever yes it.
Yes, I know DOT says the number of bikers using Columbus is up 100% an hour after the bike lane went in, but going from 1 to 2 bikers an hour hardly justifies the expense to the city. When have infrastructure that is over 100 years old, falling down and we are spending money on goodies for certain politically vocal pressure groups?
They say it’s a “safety enhancement”, there are “safety enhancement” projects all over the city that the same $$$ could be spent on and help many more people.
Before you say it- NO I DO NOT OWN A CAR and I walk/take mass transit everywhere
Different organizations are responsible for the bike lanes and the bus shelters.
The Department of Transportation is the one responsible for bike lanes. The private corporation CEMUSA is responsible for the bus shelters.
Sorry it doesn’t fit into your preconceived narrative. If you would like the taxpayers to subsidize a foreign corporation’s profit margins, then please make that argument. Until then direct your ire towards the foreign company that bought a public good and is shirking their end of the contract in regards to cleaning up after a storm. I took the bus on 72nd this morning and they hadn’t cleaned that shelter either, so this is far from an isolated incident.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mopd/downloads/pdf/Snow-Removal-One-sheeter-with-DSNYs-revisions-version-8.pdf
Is the DOT responsible for that lane of road right in front of the bus stop? There’s really no point in shoveling out the shelter if you can’t get from it to the bus.
Thank you for this information. I didn’t know that Cermusa was responsible for shoveling out the bus stops that have shelters.
So then why is it that the same sanitation truck that went down the bike lane right under my window, was also clearing the bus stops latter? And its not just done because its a “big storm”, it is done this way for each storm.
As per CEMUSA.. “the three feet means that you must be able to enter and use the bus shelter itself”. When pressed for a better description they continued ” that is measured from the advertising kiosk portion of the shelter towards its opposite side, as well as from the glass shear wall side out towards the open street side”. They also said they are not responsible for the sidewalk areas outside these distinctions. They were very clear that the city was responsible for the curb line out.
If the city/MTA actually thinks CEMUSA is supposed to do this, why are the hiring labors at a rate of $13.50 hr to do it?
The only think CEMUSA crews every do it bus stops is hose them off to clean them
Just to be clear, CEMUSA is responsible for the sidewalk area of the bus shelter up to three feet on each end (of the bus shelter). They are more responsible for the seats; glass; electric; and shelter – they are an advertising firm. ALL street snow removal is the responsibility of the Dept. of Sanitation (DOS). The MTA hires crews ($13/hr) to assist DOS in shoveling and clearing paths at subway entrances and bus stops. Its unfortunate that all three can’t coordinate. One shovels and clears a path, while the other plows and buries the same path , , , and so on!
🙂
Didn’t know that – thanks for the clarification. Sanitation has a big job after every storm but still, we do need the bus stops and corner crosswalks cleared and passable.
Thank goodness for the thaw…
So then why is it that the same sanitation truck that went down the bike lane right under my window, was also clearing the bus stops latter? And its not just done because its a “big storm”, it is done this way for each storm.
As per CEMUSA.. “the three feet means that you must be able to enter and use the bus shelter itself”. When pressed for a better description they continued ” that is measured from the advertising kiosk portion of the shelter towards its opposite side, as well as from the glass shear wall side out towards the open street side”. They also said they are not responsible for the sidewalk areas outside these distinctions. They were very clear that the city was responsible for the curb line out.
If the city/MTA actually thinks CEMUSA is supposed to do this, why are the hiring labors at a rate of $13.50 hr to do it?
The only think CEMUSA crews every do it bus stops is hose them off to clean them
Is Cemusa still responsible for shoveling the bus stop shelters? These definitely need to get cleared asap. I think Cemusa tends to shirk on this.
I am glad the Columbus Ave bike lane got plowed. When I saw it yesterday afternoon the car lanes were clear and the bike lane was snowy tundra.
It was a record snowstorm. It takes time to dig everything out by hand. Lighten up.
I can’t live with this. I mean how am I supposed to pick up my dry cleaning, pick up a latte, and get a mani and pedi?
Very funny Sean. I love your dry humor.
It is soon after the storm however, the bus shelters and the curbs and the street in front of bus stops has been poorly managed in snowstorms FOREVER. The snow from the this storm will be ignored exactly the same way as snow from any other storm. It is a disgrace. I watched as a woman with a walker needed to be carried over the snow mound. Forget any wheelchair access for at least two weeks.
And where exactly is the delineation between a bus stop and a bus shelter? Who is responsible for the street cleaning? Who is responsible for the sidewalk outside of the shelter but clearly part of the bus stop.
Stop pointing fingers at each other City of NY and Cemusa. There should be fines levied on all. Shameful.
And for the person that can’t get a mani or a pedi I bet you can get there with Uber.
Where do you go for good Sushi?
Sean:
your deliberately ridiculous comments are proving:
1) NOT that you are so superior to everyone else commenting in earnest about a serious issue;
2)BUT that you are a CHILDISH FOOL!
Give it a rest! We don’t need to read your self-indulgent CWAP!
Blame it on the Bossa Nova.
As off topic a persons comments maybe,
lets agree to disagree with some civility
Over the years the UWS has lost its belief that all opinions should be respected. I’ve lost count the number of times I have been spat on, yelled and cursed at, physically shoved etc for having the idea that its ok to voice your own opinion on an issue (while doing it in polite manner) that does not match the PC flavor of the month.
By the way I didn’t move here in the 80/90’s when things started looking good on the UWS. I grew up on the UWS in the 60/70’s and have lived here since birth.
I couldn’t agree more. What I do not understand is how people expect everything to be back to normal after a storm. For some reason the UWS remains the capital of complaints for NYC. This will never change. The difference today is social media etc. We now know everybody’s opinion on everything. I suggest everyone take a nice warm bath and relax. I know I intend to.
My Uber was a 3.3x surge this morning. Stomp stomp stomp. Grumble Deblasio grumble grumble communist.
My gosh, your life sounds like a pure hell.
Have a double-pump soy latte’. You’ll feel better.
I have a 13 eee / xw foot. I can’t find waterproof snowshoes/boots, even online. My feet are soaked from crossing the street because of the slush. Help.
Try Fairway bags and some elastic.
Hitchcock, http://www.wideshoes.com/ .
Yeah I bought from Hitchcock before I posted this but I’m paranoid they won’t fit (no laces just a zipper). Thank you though.
New Yorkers are used to very poor services. And very high taxes. That’s what makes a New Yorker, a New Yorker. We’ve refined the art of “Less is More”.
Took the (very crowded) bus several times on Broadway today. Bus stop entry/exits and Broadway intersections are totally inundated with snow/slush.
Columbus bike lanes were cleared by shovel today. Zero bikers noted.
I enjoyed watching a virtual army of MTA employees shoveling outside the 103d St station this morning. Probably 20 people standing around, whining, complaining. With only 2 actually shoveling. One of the great thing about snowstorms is they reveal dysfunction, both from irresponsible property owners and broken government agencies, like the MTA.
Scott – Sounds like they were temporary hired for the day, not regular MTA employees.
When there are very big snowstorms, NYC traditionally hires people for a day or so to shovel snow. Hopefully most will do a proper job but it is understandably difficult to supervise.
Every bus stop I have seen looks like this
THANKS FOR MENTIONING THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY ONE FOR THE ELDERLY.
This is all over the City. Why is this every time it storms. Next will be swimming pools of water at crosswalks which is easier to understand from nearby melting snow but why does it have to be the snow that is impossible to mound to even get to the bus steps”. Why does the city not use the men in jumpsuits that pick up trash all over the city in the summer to be sure bus stops and crosswalks are shoveled, over and over if the plows repack them? People need work. Here are some jobs! There has to be a way. This is so simple…some solution. I am up in years and I am an active person but this terrifies me and makes me take cabs with money I do not have to spend on such, or never go out…which is impossible after a point. Wondering what to do about it that is constructive and can actually end this crazy situation in such a great city.
This city is like a village without dogs , sidewalks are cleaned only half , bus stops – none , and the sanitations vehicles never clean the corners of the intersections , don’t know what big deal is to just cut the corners properly with the blade , so the taxpayers don’t have to climb mountains of snow . ( forget about using a stroller) . But that’s normal when the mayor and the governor are busy fighting with each other .
Merchants and property owners are responsible for the sidewalks not the city.
Yes sir , and the city should make sure the business and owners clean the sidewalks .
Yup and so should the people who live in these buildings. Complain to your management. If it is a business owner, you know the drill.
Who is responsible for clearing the storm drains AND clearing a channel from the (water-filled) crosswalks to the drain/sewer? Over the years, I have decided, “No one.”
There always has been and still is a huge hole in the City’s snow removal plan: New Yorkers — especially Manhattanites and tourists — walk! Yet the City continues to ignore the need to clear paths for walkers. More than a minor inconvenience, this represents a real hazard even to the able-bodied, and an enormous impediment for those who are elderly or those with reduced mobility.
There is also a problems with un-shoveled crosswalks at least further uptown.
An additional complication with this storm was that whoever was shoveling shelters along 86th Street decided that dumping the snow in front of the ticket machines would be a good idea.
The machines were inaccessible to those unwilling or unable to play king of the snow hill all day Sunday.
2 West 86th St., the large building at the SE corner of 86th and CPW, cleared its own sidewalk as per law. From the curb to where the bus stops, however,it’s Snow Mountain. Yesterday, on the way to physical therapy (!) I had to make my way, cane in hand, through a passenger-made footpath that was one boot wide and deep in slush, to the doors of the bus. Other buildings on the block take a few extra minutes to clear a path into the street so people can hail cabs or emerge safely from cars, Why can’t #2, with its snowblowers and considerable staff, take the trouble to accommodate bus riders and patients from its own attached medical facility?
First, I assume you mean the south*west* corner. The east side of CPW is Central Park, and there is no “SE corner” of 86 and CPW (unless you mean the entrance to the transverse).
Next, I believe that the entrance at 2 W 86 is for the medical clinics there. The residents’ entrance is around the corner on CPW. I doubt that the doctors and therapists inside 2 W 86 have staffs to shovel snow.
I’m guessing now, but it’s likely that the building staff on CPW also shovel the entrance to 2 W 86 as a contractual or lease commitment to their tenants in the clinics. Yes, it would be nice if the building staff extended themselves also to clear a path to the street and the bus, but don’t blame the residents of the “luxury” condo around the corner if the staff don’t go ever further than their contracts require.
It is impossible for me to get to my Bridge club.
http://youtu.be/q_YXRU1vCyk
I never has seen snow.
1. I am a senior citizen with mobility problems and am so glad to see people at least talking about this issue. This city has a large aging population whose needs are too often ignored. It’s not this snow storm, or the amount of snow, it’s all over the city whenever it snows. Subway stairs and bus stops become unusable for many of us. It’s more than disheartening to hear all the finger pointing and blaming with no one taking responsibility. Seems to be the new norm for the world, not just NYC. What happened to compassion and responsibility?
2. Sean, why don’t you go get a mani-pedi, then have some sushi, as you apparently have nothing more productive to do with your time.
Well this isn’t my first snowstorm. It will be a memory soon. In the meantime I suggest to those with mobility issues to only go out unless it is absolutely necessary. Call for delivery. Ask a neighbor or relative to assist you. Let common sense rule the day.
Gee, Sean. Only go out if a necessity? Well, yea that is what we do (doctor appointments, work, etc.) You act like it is unreasonable for people with all types of mobility issues to be concerned that they can’t get out.
Is it only car owners who get to complain about the challenges of too much snow?
Try navigating this city with a wheelchair in general, let alone in the snow. Then…you can comment on “necessity.”
Appointments can be rescheduled. You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime you just might find that you get what you need.
Sean:
Something tells me you’re an old guy who never showers with many many issues. You probably shop in fairway and cut every line you can. One or two friends maybe and nothing to do but comment sometimes yes to citibike and sometimes no…..your comments are silly and not relevant or important or helpful. Could
you find another site to bore?? Thanks.
The issue of snow pile-up at corners and bus stops is nothing new. Unfortunately, happens all the time, under all mayoral administrations.
As some others have wondered, why can’t staff of large buildings just clear a bit of snow to allow access at a crosswalk or at a bus stop…
As a sort of experiment, my neighbor asked a a few big luxury buildings (which clearly had a large staff) if they could do so. Most refused (“not our problem”); one agreed but by the end of the day had not; and one actually cleared some space at the corner.
Really sad that even when asked to be “neighborly” luxury buildings won’t bother.
And therein lies the rub. Everybody expects somebody else to do it. So we live with it. The snow will melt.
wow. how entitled is your neighbor? Just because someone is staff at a “luxury” building (meaning most residents already pay, through their taxes, for much of the city services we all enjoy) doesn’t make them responsible for extra work. How about your neighbor use his time – not to hit up others to do extra work – but to just do the extra work him/herself.
hi anon
am pretty shocked to see what seems like a personal attack (“entitled”) on a complete stranger and just on the basis of my note.
in any event, my neighbor is a graduate student and the purpose of the snow clearing question was two-fold – to enlist help in the snow-clearing process and to use in some academic work.
Actually we taxpayers have subsidized the luxury buildings which used 421-A subsidies 🙂
Hey guys! This was, apparently, an awful storm. STuff like this happens! It’s not personal. The snow removal folks were working on 12 hour shifts. The Mayor, the Sanitation DEpartment, DOT were not out to get you! Yes! It was awful getting around. But mostly we survived! (Until the next round!) I’m of the opinion that they did a helluva good job considering the number of trucks and personnel available! A big “Yay” to our Mayor for being able to coordinate all of this. It would have been horrendous had he not!
Remember the big snow storm of 2010? Remember that Mayor Bloomberg was in Bermuda during that time? Remember the nightmare we endured? I think Mayor D. did a respectable job.