A 21st Century Subway(01 of18)
Open Image ModalThis slideshow is a series of images taken in one day of riding the Subway from the point of view of a tourist, someone who does not live in New York City and never has. It reflects the current nature of the network in the 21st century as viewed by a concerned traveler. Every year millions of travelers leave the 21st century transportation systems they know in their home nations and come to experience ours, the pride of New York City from over 100 years ago.
What's in a Name?(02 of18)
Open Image ModalThe MTA has considered renaming certain subway stations after corporate sponsors with deep enough pockets to afford the privilege. To some individuals the idea of renaming something for no other reason than to make a buck is an abhorrent idea. Others see opportunity in the slim chance the cash infusion would make the system a more functional place.
American Pride(03 of18)
Open Image ModalNew York City is undoubtedly a contributor to a sense of American Pride. It\'s the city most foreign travelers want most to visit, and sadly the one they often find themselves most disappointed in upon arrival. The American flag stamped on the sides of subway cars illustrates ownership of the system as an American creation. How we upkeep that system reflects on who we are as a nation.
A Sauna (04 of18)
Open Image ModalClimate control exists in many of the world\'s subway systems but not in New York City. In the summer stations can become veritable saunas with temperature and humidity levels reaching the limits of human tolerance. Business travelers who dare to take the subway often show up for work shirts drenched in sweat as if they took a shower in them.
What What?(05 of18)
Open Image ModalSubway announcements are often likened to the voice of the teacher in the Charlie Brown television cartoon. Almost no information is audible and for rare or first time users it\'s little more than a sad contribution to background noise.
Equipment Malfunction (06 of18)
Open Image ModalIt sometimes seems like the number of functional escalators in the MTA system equals or underperforms the number of malfunctioning escalators. I\'m not sure if the MTA publishes data on escalator function for any given day (operating at 40% escalation, or operating at 75% escalation), but it\'s worth considering as a way to boost riders spirits.
How Many Rats?(07 of18)
Open Image ModalCan you count the number of rats in this image? It\'s not a trick question!
Subway Exposure (08 of18)
Open Image ModalI\'ve never been a fan of exposed wires in any public space. It\'s just too tempting for those of us lacking self control. The ones who need to be saved from themselves, or just those under the age of accountability.
I'll Believe it When I See It(09 of18)
Open Image ModalPlaques announcing subway improvements appear all over the MTA system attempting to dampen the argument that \'nothing ever improves in the Subway\' or justify the argument that \'riders need to pay more for better service.\'
Urinary Leakage (10 of18)
Open Image ModalThe MTA decides what advertisements run in the Subway System and what revenue that will generate. Other systems in the world follow the same structure. In Paris it\'s common to see ads for upcoming movies, a new fragrance, or popular citywide events. In New York you can also see ads of that nature in addition to those on urinary leakage, psychic services, and vaginal reconstruction.
Actual Leakage(11 of18)
Open Image ModalEven during the driest of droughts there are always puddles of stagnant water to be found throughout the subway from various sources of leakage. \"Wet Floor\" signs are rarely used because the everyday New Yorker is prepared to assume every floor is a wet floor.
More Leakage (12 of18)
Open Image ModalExposed piping is a unique \"feature\" of the New York Subway, one could even argue it\'s urban chic. Over time though these urban fixtures tend to look like scenes from Ridley Scott\'s Alien.
Please Put Your Litter Into Trash Cans(13 of18)
Open Image ModalWe\'re all familiar (or least you will be at some point) with \'stoppages\' on MTA network due to track fires. Paper and other flammables such as \"Planned Service Change\" announcements can become dangerous pieces of litter costing riders valuable time and the system valuable dollars. Please put your litter into trash cans!
The Low Tech Answer (14 of18)
Open Image ModalIn an homage to the Subway System of the 20th Century, the MTA uses Paper Announcements to inform riders of scheduled changes to the services provided. Sadly these piece of paper sometimes fall onto the subway tracks, and well, we know what can happen then.
Focusing Attention on the Obvious(15 of18)
Open Image ModalA wise person once said that \"the obvious can never be too overstated.\" It\'s very true that riding the New York City Subway system is not an excuse to begin fondling other passengers just because you paid for the ability to be there.
Consult the Map(16 of18)
Open Image ModalVisitors unfamiliar with the complexities of the New York Subway often have to consult the map in order to find their way around Manhattan and the other places they wish to travel to. Sightseeing is a big part of the NYC economy and maps are a critical tool travelers use to find their way around the different parts of the city where they spend their tourist dollars.
Most Popular Trash(17 of18)
Open Image ModalIf a strategy to rename the subway stations after corporate sponsors goes through it might be wise for the sponsors in food/beverage/consumables who wish to partake to take over naming of the stations where they can find the most trash that fits their brand. They could concentrate their efforts on stations where their logo is already a visible and recognizable regularity.
Excuse My Question(18 of18)
Open Image ModalGraffiti, like most forms of art, can tell us something about our culture. Was this a message from a disgruntled foreign visitor or just a fed up New Yorker looking to express his or her grief using the medium of a white-out bottle. We\'ll never know, but there\'s a take away message here somewhere.
