Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
MTA Chief: Go Ahead, Stuff Your Faces With Stinking Food On The Rat-Infested Subway
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 14, 2012
Modified Feb 14, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 14, 2012
Modified Feb 14, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW] A bill in Albany that would prohibit eating food on the subway with fines up to $250 for violators, does not have the support of the new MTA chief Joseph Lhota. Although Lhota was known as the "rat czar" when he was deputy mayor under Rudolph Giuliani, he thinks an outright food consumption ban would adversely impact poor people who inhale their greasy stinking McDonald's on the train because there's simply nowhere else for them to eat. Also, think of the children! "It severely hurts and impacts minority communities," Lhota tells the Times. "I don’t want to deny the kid the only time that day he’s going to get food."
One of the State Senators who introduced the bill, Bill Perkins, claims he's surprised by Lhota's food stance, and insists that earlier this month Lhota said he'd support the bill. "If that’s his position, I’m sorry to hear that," Perkins tells the Times. "I think there is a great need for us to control eating in the subways to get control of the rodent infestation." (Isn't that what the opossums are for?!) And Lhota's opinion of Perkins? "As a legislator, he does nothing but talk and talk and talk, and he does nothing."
Currently, food is not prohibited on the subway, but it is discouraged; in addition, all open beverages are illegal, from coffee to Courvoisier. A recent Straphangers Campaign survey scared up rats at 11% of underground station platforms, and our highly scientific Gothamist survey showed overwhelming support for an eating ban. But it's not worth the risk—Lhota doesn't want any emaciated minority children dying of famine on the subway on his watch!
UPDATE: Lhota just issued this statement: "I would like to apologize to Senator Perkins for my comments in the NY Times today. Bill is an excellent legislator with great constituent services, and I share his commitment to addressing the problem of rat proliferation in New York City. Though we agree on many rat related issues, we disagree on banning food on the subways. I have a great deal of respect for Senator Perkins."
Tagged
Albany
bill perkins
joseph lhota
MTA
rats
subway
subway food ban
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .