What with the rats, unintentionally self-parodying signs, and major layoffs, the MTA hasn’t exactly been swimming in positive press as of late. And the results of a new transit advocacy group study aren’t going to help. According to the Straphangers Campaign, the city’s subway cars are getting dirtier — half of the 2,200 cars examined were deemed clean in a survey last fall, down from the 57 percent found to be dirt-free in the fall of 2008. And the group fears things will only get worse.
The MTA, which has been cutting subway cleaners to save money, didn’t even bother trying to diffuse blame when questioned by the Journal about the study’s findings:
“Some subway car floors may not be as clean as our customers expect or deserve,” said a statement from the MTA’s New York City Transit.
The cleanest lines are the 6, 7, N, and C, with about two-thirds of the cars on each line considered clean. The V (which will soon be put out of its misery) and the M were found to be the two dirtiest lines. One bright spot for M riders: Though you may be riding in filth, at least you can understand what your conductors are saying!
Subway Grime on Rise [WSJ]
