Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Flashlights for Transit Workers
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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
We were a little surprised when we read that the Transit Workers Union had distributed disaster kits to bus and subway workers, because Gothamist thought that they would at least have flashlights available in case of an emergency. According to the Daily News, "The emergency kits include a screwdriver a knife, whistles, candles, matches, light sticks, a poncho, two bottles of water, granola bars, work gloves, a 12-in-1 pocket tool with pliers, a flashlight with a built-in radio and siren, and a lightweight blanket that is not much larger than an index card when folded." That sounds like a magic blanket! Seriously, you'd think that transit workers would be armed with flashlights or light sticks - especially the ones that work underground. The Transit Workers Union has been complaining that the MTA has lagged behind in preparing employees in case of an emergency (the MTA did distribute anti-terror booklets, though). As ever, the News tops off the story by saying the MTA doesn't think there's a policy against workers bringing the kits with them. It's time like these Gothamist is glad our boss will let us have a Go Bag in the office...even if we don't actually have a Go Bag.
The union is also mad at the MTA for making employees drive trains through an "acid cleanser" at the rail yard, this after the cleaning mechanism was originally built so the trains could be pulled through without drivers. Yeah, acid cleanser doesn't sound too good either.
Tagged
As
bars
bus
daily news
go bag
gothamist
jen chung
MTA
news
News: NYC
radio
subway
terror
the office
The Transit Workers Union
transit
TRANSIT WORKERS UNION
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 8:26 a.m. ET
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
News
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .