Monthly Archives: June 2009

Classifying The Subway Crazies

Posted on June 30, 2009 by TJ

The writer Una LaMarche, whose name roughly translates to “Million Man March Minus 999,999 Men”, says it’s OK to laugh at the crazy people on the subway. She also says it’s OK to lump them into six categories (or “silos,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Seatmates, Subway | Tagged | Leave a comment

Spot Shortages, Blaring iPods and Sad Metal Chicks

Posted on June 30, 2009 by TJ

We’d lamented the demise of the Westchester section of the NY Times, as it was always a good source of local news, much of it transit-related, because all we truly care about in the ‘burbs is a smooth ride to … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawthorne, iPod, Parking, Valhalla, Westchester | 1 Comment

The Larchmont-to-Giants Stadium Train

Posted on June 29, 2009 by TJ

Come fall, Metro-North will experiment with a train that goes from Westchester to Giants Stadium in time for Jets and Giants games. Metro-North and New Jersey Transit are calling it “direct service,” according to Journal News, but boy, is it … Continue reading →

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An Open Letter To:

Posted on June 29, 2009 by TJ

The woman who muttered a sarcastic “thank you” to my back after I cut her off at the 28th Street stop this morning. First off, Ma’am, I don’t think I was really, truly in the wrong. It’s the slow approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in 6 train, Open Letter | 1 Comment

Straphanger Joe Infiltrates the Secret Underground Bald E-Book Reader Society

Posted on June 25, 2009 by TJ

Kindle Hunting on the F   Two sightings in one week.   Two days ago I was standing on the F train, late afternoon, crowded enough to stand, but not so crowded I couldn’t breathe, when I spied what appeared … Continue reading →

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‘My Habit Paid for My Dealer’s Condo’–Tales From the Ghetto Rails

Posted on June 25, 2009 by TJ

Conductor Bobby has a fascinating account of his new assignment as a Metro-North conductor–working on the Waterbury Branch, which appears to be full of homeless, fare-evaders, and “quick-turners”–the guys riding Bridgeport to score dope, then hopping back on the train … Continue reading →

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How-Young-Is-Too-Young-To-Ride-Subway Debate Rekindled

Posted on June 24, 2009 by TJ

Lenore Skenazy, who parlayed a column on letting her son Izzy ride the subway alone at age 9 into a career, offers an essay on the new New York version of Huffington Post on, yup, how we baby our children … Continue reading →

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Enc-roach-ment On Track 38

Posted on June 24, 2009 by TJ

We shuffled off the 8:43 and made our way up the gang plank on Track 38. As usual, traffic slowed to get around one of the giant metal-mesh bins that people are to deposit their spent newspapers in. The bin … Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Central, Metro North | Leave a comment

The Case of the Brightly Colored Balls

Posted on June 23, 2009 by TJ

I walked my bike up Heartbreak Hill along Broad yesterday, fresh off the 5:46, when I saw the first ball. It was a bright purple plastic sphere, the sort you see in a ballpit, kids romping about and throwing the flyweight orbs … Continue reading →

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The Night The Lights Went Out in Newark

Posted on June 23, 2009 by TJ

Reader Scott would like to know when New Jersey Transit plans to fix the signal system in Newark after the fire there two months ago. New Jersey Transit initially said repairs would take “several weeks.” Anyone got any intell?  Is there … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey Transit | 1 Comment