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Photos: Flimsy Tape Signifies The Mighty MTA Has Shut Down

By

Christopher Robbins

Published Aug 27, 2011

Modified Aug 27, 2011

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This entrance, along with four others to the J/M/Z/F stop on Essex and Delancey were taped up, but the southwest stairwell was wide open, where we found a guy with a Dave Matthews Caravan shirt on trying to make the last train. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

 

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By

Christopher Robbins

Published Aug 27, 2011

Modified Aug 27, 2011

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Whether or not it was a good decision won't be known for a few hours, but the entire MTA stopped service earlier today at noon for the first time in history due to Hurricane Irene. How does such a colossus display its utter capitulation to the storm gods? With cartoonishly sad-looking tape. We stopped by some of our neighborhood subway stations hoping to catch a glimpse of commuting chaos, but instead saw a sleeping giant. Mayor Bloomberg, your subjects are too obedient!

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commuters

dave matthews band

disasters

hurricane irene

mayor bloomberg

MTA

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Christopher Robbins

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Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.

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