The February edition of Metro North’s Mileposts is out. If you haven’t seen the publication—and I’m fairly sure I’m the only one who reads it—it’s a surprisingly well-produced little rag with a sly wit.
The lead story in the Valentine’s Day-themed issue, titled “We’re Very Punctual (Unlike Your Last Date)…”–see, I told you it was funny—touts the railroad’s performance scores. Metro North scored a 97.8 on-time percentage for 2006. As I’ve groused about before, Metro North gives itself a six minute leeway; if a train that’s due in at 8 gets in at 8:05:59, it’s “on time.” (Wish you could’ve had that clause with your curfew growing up, huh?)
Yet nowhere in the issue is this caveat revealed.
Also of note: ridership east of the Hudson was 75 million last year, a record and a 3.1% increase over 2005.
And while listing capital improvements, I learned that “The second phase of the Upper Harlem Station Rehabilitation (White Plains through Southeast) was also completed.” So for crummy old Hawthorne, done up in dingy pool-cover-blue, its old station house a repository for someone’s junk, that’s as good as it gets for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, Mileposts sneakily encourages good behavior on trains by dressing it up as relationship advice: “As Valentine’s Day approaches, you don’t need to waste money on expensive dating services to find the ideal ‘soul mate.’ Just look at his or her behavior when they are commuting on the train. Do they:”
The article then mentions some things to look for, such as keeping one’s feet off the seats and using the cell phone responsibly.