TresSugar

NYC Sells Subway Station Names - Savvy or Selling Out?

TresSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

New York's MTA decided a long time ago that it would try to sell the naming rights to the city's subway stops, but it finally found someone willing to pay up. London-based bank Barclays has offered $4 million to add its name to Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street station. The name will officially change when the upcoming sports center, also called Barclays Center, opens in 2012.

We've long forgotten the days when stadiums and arenas were named after their locations, but subway stations? New Yorkers better be prepared to see a Miracle Whip sign on the 34th Street station or get ready to take an express train to Taco Bell Avenue.

Do you have a problem with corporations invading public space or is this a good way to subsidize the taxpayers' burden of paying for public transportation?

Photo by WalkingGeek

Front Page: Public Transportation Ridership Hits 52-Year High

CitizenSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:43:16 -0700

Public transportation ridership in the US has hit a 52-year high, as Americans search for a cheaper way to get around. - Reuters
President Obama delivered a speech today on US education woes, calling for an overhaul of the broken system. - New York Times
Violence is rising in Iraq. At least 33 people were killed in the latest bombing in Baghdad. - BBC News

Nadya Suleman has agreed to let her 14 children be visited by foster-care workers for at least six months. She will live with her children in a new home found for the family. - Reuters
Violence is escalating in Northern Ireland, after a police officer was shot dead last night, the third such shooting in 48 hours. - The Times of London

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Should States Impose Development Laws to Cut Car Use?

LibertySugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:54 -0700

California is close to adopting a law aimed at slowing the increase in vehicle emissions by encouraging housing and development projects near job sites and transportation hubs. It's sort of a "if you build it here, they will ride the bus or stop driving" plan.

If passed by the Senate, the measure would tweak the current regional planning process by setting some new goals to reduce emissions. This would be the nation’s most comprehensive effort to cut back on sprawl and would essentially reward cities and counties that comply with efforts to minimize driving (and thereby emissions).

One enthusiast told the New York Times the law means California is "planning for housing needs, transportation needs and climate-change needs all at the same time," while others worry it will override some of the current development laws.

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Congressman Targets Islamic Subway Ads - Train Wreck?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:45:30 -0700

The Islamic faith may be getting a ticket to ride - the New York City subways that is. A series of ads selling Islam are planned to hit cars in September - unless one US congressman has his way. Rep. King (R-NY) says advertising for Allah is fine - but he thinks the people sponsoring the messages unacceptable.

The 1,000 posters set to grace the subway's 6,200 cars are sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America and showcase Q&A style headlines like, "Head Scarf?" or "Prophet Muhammad?" followed by "You deserve to know."

One cleric promoting the campaign said:

The idea is to evoke certain thoughts in the mindset of the person who is looking at the ads and get them to a point where they can reflect upon certain words that one could define as hot words or key words that get thrown around a lot but are not necessarily defined in the most proper context.

Why would Rep. King have a problem with that? It's not the ad, it's the money behind it. One of the backers is Siraj Wahhaj, imam of a Brooklyn mosque. Though he was the first Muslim to lead a prayer before the House of Representatives, he was also a character witness for convicted 1993 World Trade Center bombing mastermind Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman.

King (also a ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee) says, "he is a known Islamic extremist, and you would be giving him credibility and stature through a known government facility." King is asking the MTA to can the campaign. Should they?

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Are High Gas Prices Getting You on the Public Bandwagon?

LibertySugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:45:22 -0700

While gas prices break records, so do ridership rates on public transportation systems across America. The New York Times reports that the biggest increases are seen in areas with a significant driving culture, such as the South and West.

Mass transit systems are having trouble coping with the masses. Rising fuel costs hit the systems hard, and the economic slow down means less funding from sales tax receipts. Thus, there is not enough money to put more buses on the street. Even so, people are opting for the standing room only services.

American bicycle shops are also reporting stronger business so far this year. A record number of commuters are expected to participate in Bike-To-Work Week and Bike-to-Work-Day (May 16th).

So, what about you? Have gas prices caused you to change your transportation habits? Do you think high gas prices could eventually motivate Americans (and their cities) to ditch their cars and develop efficient mass transit?

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Chronic Groper Faces Life in Prison

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:00:09 -0700

Freddie Johnson has been arrested 53 times for groping women on NYC subway trains. Now, he faces life in prison for his latest arrest, which came only two weeks after his release from prison.

This time, plainclothes officers recognized Freddie from police photos of repeat offenders. They followed him, while he groped a female passenger selected at random.

Gropers often attack in crowded areas, and almost always escape. Apparently, there is not a crossover of offenders that grope, and those that engage in rape or other serious sexual assault. According to a recent survey, 63 percent of respondents reported being sexually harassed in some way on the NYC subway.

Like graffiti - the negative impact of an anonymous grope seems less severe than other crimes; but both subway-prone crimes decrease the overall feeling of security in the community. Plus, unlike graffiti, which everyone sees, groping involves personal violation, not shared with all the other riders.

If Freddie Johnson is intent on re-offending, does New York have no choice but to lock him up forever? Or, should we spend tax money locking up more dangerous offenders, while suffering an occasional grope?

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Check This: Are Women-Only Buses Discriminatory?

LibertySugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:02:26 -0800

Twenty-two million people ride Mexico City's pubic transportation system each day, and among this enormous number lurk men ready to cop an anonymous feel on a crowded bus. Mexico City has decided to confront the sexual harassment problem by chartering women-only buses, marked with a pink placard and all!

Men get left in the dust of the "ladies' night on wheels" that travels the main routes of the city. According to the New York Times, some Mexican men feel that the policy is discriminatory and resent being left to wait for the next coed bus. Others accept their gender's punishment for inappropriate behavior.

Do you think there is such a thing as positive discrimination? Or is female preferential treatment an example of segregation?

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The How-To Lounge: Public Transportation Etiquette

DearSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Since everyone is now contributing a little bit more to living a green lifestyle, more and more people are using public transportation. Of course we all love the comfort of our own car, but let's be honest, mass transit isn't all that bad if every passenger practices proper public transportation etiquette.

To see the do's and don'ts, read more

Always give up your chair to the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women, or children. It is infuriating when people do not follow this rule
If you are traveling with a lot of bags, keep them in your allotted area. Other people's stuff invading your territory can be incredibly irritating
If you see that the bus or train is crowded, immediately move to the back so more people can get on
Try not to crowd the doors so people can have easy entering and exiting access
Don't eat or drink on public transit. If the bus or train suddenly stops or swerves, your coffee could go flying and spill on your neighbor
If you're sick, cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough. Public transit is a breeding ground for germs so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when you get to your final destination
Talking on the phone is the biggest no no when taking public transportation and a specific pet peeve of mine. No one wants to listen to your drama on his or her way home from work
When you're traveling with a friend, don't talk too loud and don't say anything you wouldn't want advertise over a loud speaker -- you never know who is traveling with you
When listening to music, keep the volume at a happy medium. There's nothing worse than overhearing multiple iPods at the same time
Primping should be done at home. Don't do your make up, clip or file your fingernails or brush your hair when on the bus or train
PDA on public transit is hands down just a no no. Holding hands and a peck goodbye are acceptable, but making out should be kept behind closed doors

These simple rules may seem obvious to some, but others need a push in the right direction, so I hope my tips help. Safe travels!

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Electric Youth: Headed to a City Near You

TresSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

When making its list of the best cities for America's youth, the Wall Street Journal looked at factors like how easy it is find a job or a future mate.

Where today's young people decide to settle down once the "recovery" begins will have a big impact on American cities. Urban centers that become "youth magnets" should see a boom in cultural allure, along with an economic advantage.

Here are the top-five youth magnet cities, according to the WSJ:

1. Washington, DC (tie): The 2008 election of the "cool" Barack Obama set off a "youthful pilgrimage" that shouldn't end anytime soon.
1. Seattle (tie): Seattle's mix of culture, high-tech industry, natural beauty, and university presence makes it a youth magnet.
3. New York City: NYC is still a big city of dreams.
4. Portland: Despite a double digit unemployment rate, Portland's public transportation, access to outdoor activities, and artist culture attracts young people.
5. Austin: A university town with housing and job opportunities makes this city a great place for young people to settle down.

Out of all these cities, where would you rather live?

Pope Bobblehead Rides Public Transportation

GiggleSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Pope Benedict is visiting Washington this week, so the city created TV ads encouraging people to take the Metro rail, featuring - what else? - a papal bobblehead. Apparently, the ads have since been pulled, which is a shame. The Latin chanting, the copy of Car and Pontiff, and the wobbly plastic Pope buying a commemorative rail "mass pass" . . . it's all too bizarre to believe.