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Would You Pay $650 For A Used, Wooden Subway Bench?
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 18, 2012
Modified Feb 18, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 18, 2012
Modified Feb 18, 2012
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Since the MTA has officially started to remove its wooden subway station benches in favor of stainless steel ones, the financially-troubled agency is trying to take advantage of nostalgia and ignorance by offering the wooden benches to the public for $650. We can see the ad now: "Bedbugs come free of charge!"
The MTA sells its surplus items online—items currently for sale include "BUS PARTS & MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, EXCESS" and "OFFICE FURNITURE"—and MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said, "There’s always a demand for subway memorabilia." And NYC Transit Assistant COO Mike Zacchea said, "They’re sort of iconic. They’ve been around a long time. They’re massive. I can see them sitting in a back yard being weathered for a couple more years and serving as a conversation piece." Which is true, but can't the MTA just sell new wooden benches to us? Because are you really going to soak the entire bench in vinegar?
Tagged
bed bug
MTA
surplus materials
urine
wooden bench
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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