Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Subways: Popular, Fragile, and Metrocardy
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 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 Feb 23, 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
It's been a big subway week. Yesterday, it was announced that subway ridership is at a 50 year high, thanks to the advent of the Metrocard. However, the MTA still has that $600 million deficit. Subway expert and author Clifton Hood makes a very good point to Newsday, pointing out: "There's no rapid-transit system in the world that's not subsidized and New York's is less subsidized." The lack of subsidies is a point driven home in New York magazine's feature on the subway crisis we're almost in. The feature also has suggestions on how to improve the subway experience - video cameras, glass walls between the platform edge and subway car, universal fare cards - all great, but Gothamist feels these are too ambitious in its current unsubsidized form.
On the Metrocard tip, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly asked that the MTA give out Metrocards to all cops. What's shocking is that the NYPD and MTA didn't have this covered already. Less than half of the 37,000 officers have them, and of course the MTA will approve that the rest get them, but isn't a Metrocard as essential as a badge in this town? Anyway, according to the Times, the NYPD will be retraining its officers on entering the subway quickly; the NYPD also says that criticism that a closed token booth may have led to a murder victim's death is misguided, as the cop was delayed by seconds. The Times also had a profile of NYC Transit head Lawrence "The C train will be out for five years" Reuter yesterday, who admitted he shouldn't have spoken so soon during that incident. Sure, but Gothamist admits that it's nice to have a bureaucrat to beat up every once in a while.
Tagged
city
City News
daily news
death
fare
gothamist
lawrence
metrocard
MTA
murder
new york
new york daily news
news
News: NYC
nyc
nyc transit
nypd
police
police commissioner
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly
subway
The C
the times
train
transit
transportation
video
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: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 8:48 a.m. ET
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
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 .