December 11, 2006
Subway Violations Mostly Down
There was a cool graphic from the Post today about the number of violations the MTA has issued this year. Even though the subway rules have changed, violations have gone down or stayed the same for things like fare evasion, blocking the doors, littering and smoking, and occupying more than one seats. But the areas that have seen an increase in summons issued: "Riding between cars" and "Unauthorized animals." We figured as much for riding between cars, but what are unauthorized animals? Are they non-service dogs not in their carriers? What's great is that there's also an update about someone who was hit by a summons:
Officer Muhammad Ishra...gave a $50 summons to a woman who put her grocery bag on the seat next to her as she rode an F-train on her way to her Brooklyn home to prepare dinner.See, if you fight it, you may win!Ishra was not moved by Samantha Hoover's argument that the car was nearly empty and nobody wanted the seat her groceries were occupying.
He told her that didn't matter.
Hoover chose to fight and later that month a hearing officer dismissed the charge.
And the Post also points out the disparity in punishment while fare-less on the subway versus the LIRR/Metro-North. When LIRR and Metro-North riders don't have fare money, they are invoiced and only about 25% of them pa (whereas straphangers get arrested if they jump turnstiles). However, now the two commuter train agencies will be cracking down on these free riders now. Better late than never!
Photograph of uptown 6 sign by Polish Sausage Queen on Filckr
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Hi,
The Subway system is of extrme importance to the life of the city which never ever sleeps, and where its restless spirit needs something like good stead rails to make sure everyone has the opportunity to get back home safe.
Thus anything which focuses on this important artery of NYC is of extreme importance and a special link to this article has been put on my web site.
Keep the good work going.
Yours,
RMC
In the 90's, when cops caught people jumping turnstiles, 20% of the time the person had a weapon or a warrant out for their arrest.
I doubt the same was true for LIRR or Metro North riders who couldn't pay.
Simply, turnstile jumping is a minor crime that sometimes major criminals commit.
I got a $50 ticket for taking up more than one seet on a half empty train. I was not even taking up more than one seat, but merely had my legs crossed which crossed the invisable line that seperates seats. Anyway I fought it and ended up having to go to the courthouse twice and paying $100. All I know is that I got screwed for no reason.
Must be a helluva day at the office if one can't afford the fare home on the LIRR/Metro North.
I've ran to catch a Metro North train thinking I had half of a round trip ticket in my wallet. Then realized I had neither the ticket nor enough cash. These things happen.
I think the situation on LIRR/MetroNorth is a little bit different in that if you've already left and realize you left your wallet in the office or something, you're *really* screwed. Conversely, if you get to the subway in the morning/after work, it's generally not that big a deal to run back and get your wallet or, if you just don't have your Metrocard, buy a Metrocard right there at the station. You're not necessarily trying to put one over on anybody if you happen to be on the commuter train without a ticket - you most certainly are if you jump a turnstile.
"Officer Muhammad Ishra...gave a $50 summons to a woman who put her grocery bag on the seat next to her as she rode an F-train'
I hope officer Muhammad Ishra's home town back in the Middle East gets bombed into rubble, with no f*cking family survivors left to him on earth.
There, let that a-hole write a ticket ABOUT THAT!
I remember in the 90s when I was little I used to always go under the turnstiles to get the free ride.
yea! those dirty moslems! they're evil-- on both sides of the law!
there was absolutely no need to leave the officers name in there, but of course, gothamist continues its anti-muslim slant parade.
Wow, the comments on Gothamist today are already particularly charming!
"Ben Dover," words fail me, but I'll try: What a disgusting, presumptuous thing to say. First, you assume that someone with a Muslim name was born in the Middle East. Then, you hope this putative home town is bombed and his family killed. Wow, you're one sick fuk!
And "zazzy," what, exactly, constitutes Gothamist's "anti-muslim slant parade"?
http://www.mta.info/nyct/rules/index.html
"occupy more than one seat or place bags on an empty seat when doing so would interfere with transit operations or the comfort of other customers"
This is very clear and is simply a matter of common courtesy. I have no patience for anyone taking up a seat with their bag on a crowded train and I will not ask the person to move it I will simply sit down.
I don't know who's the bigger idiot: Ben for being a racist idiot or zazzy thinking that somehow writing a muslim sounding name constitutes racism.
god.
Number 11 cites what should be the clause that lets riders on empty trains off the hook for this sort of crap:
"...when doing so would interfere with transit operations or the comfort of other customers."
Same language is posted on big route maps in stations.