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The MTA may not buy new trains or upgrade stations, anticipating that their budget may be in jeopardy. NY State approved just under $20 billion for the MTA's proposed $27+ billion capital plan, and though the MTA says they think they'll get the money, they are planning just in case. Newsday gives a little comfort, saying new tracks, lighting and signals won't be cut, though station maintenance may be.
MTA officials are probably hoping that the West Side railyards bidding goes well; MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow complained that he was too focused on that:
"It is a distraction. I'm serious that all of the time that I waste doing that is time that is diverted from the main mission that I set for myself, which is getting the capital [spending] plan in place. I go to testify at hearings, I speak to various legislators, that's what they ask me about - the stadium. Nobody's willing to focus on the capital plan, I guess, until the stadium is resolved."Yeah, that's pretty sad. It's also pretty sad that the MTA's download for the West Side railyards bid request-for-proposal has a "Jets" filename!
This comes as the MTA considers another source of revenue: Putting flat panel TVs on trains. While the two words Gothamist might like to hear are "satellite TV," there would only be news, music videos, or subway information on the channel; subway information wouldn't be so bad, because we are fond of the MTA's wildly uneven advertising on the trains (sometimes it's great, sometimes it's lame). Riders would also be able to tune into FM stations. Atlanta's MARTA has just committed to the plan this week; it seems that a company, The Rail Network, would give the TVs for free and just get a cut of the ad revenue. Honestly, while Gothamist loves our TV time, there's something to be said about using subway time to read, stare at other passengers, and daydream.
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How much less of an attention span does the MTA want from people? I think the idea of adding in TV's in the subways maybe be good for informational purposes but entertainment? Soon enouch we're going to be bombarded with so much advetisement that we'll end up being like Tom Cruise in Minority Report.
i wonder how long it would take until the first tv is stolen.
Its a good idea. Like why not right?? Just as long as they show something interesting or funny. They don't just have to show just ads but informational data about train service as well.
Expect those TV's to be bolted to the train behind bulletproof class and bars. Small LCD screens are cheap anyway, no bigger then 7 to 9 inches for train use.
How long will it take for some life sucking lawyer to find somebody to sue on the behalf of, claiming they were offended by the programming.
We have something similar to this in the elevators of the Conde Nast building. When I first heard they were going to do this I thought it was the most crackheaded idea that had come down the pike in a long time. But once they were installed everyone loved them. It gives everyone something to look distracted at to avoid making eye contact with Anna Wintour when she gets on the elevator. Imagine how that will come in handy when those singing homeless guys come through the car!
P.S. Before I get attacked for being insensitive, I was being IRONIC. But I still think it's a great idea.
Every place where there is a concentration of human beings should not be confused with the creation of an audience for advertising. Sidewalks and subways don't "aggregate an audience", they provide "a place to walk", or "transportation".
Advertisers are becoming increasingly desperate. Which is serious.
With the hack of the digital subway sign a few months ago, how long until these screens are showing hacked hardcore porn?
I am so glad I do not have to take the subways as much as I use to.
Soon our subways are going to look like this:
http://homepage.mac.com/dhofer/japanpics/June%2028th/slides/dan623.jpg
Ads EVERYWHERE!
"Advertisers are becoming increasingly desperate. Which is serious."
Serious, annoying, they'll find a way to get to us, but its not the end of the world. Without ads we wouldnt have such great TV shows like the Apprentice.....
Scratch that
Yeah, I wish they'd keep advertising out of our subways!
Wait... what? There already is advertising all over the subway system? TV screens aren't any more intrusive than the posters*? You don't say!
I like what they do with the newer trains in Tokyo. There are little screens by each door and as the train approaches a station, you get information like exit locations, transfers and service changes.
*Assuming it's just video with no sound.
a) NYC rule #27: upon learning about the slightest change to anything in NYC, no matter how insignificant it is to you, you must instantly voice your disapproval!
b) Finally our subway will be like the one in Total Recall!
I agree Fedup, people will argue against it just because they can. The subway system is shit, and any change that can benefit how it works for the better would be welcome.
But they should work on getting things to run more smoothly and increase reliability then pop in more ads. Unless the ad money goes toward capital improvements.
"b) Finally our subway will be like the one in Total Recall!"
Only if they include the woman with the Three Breasts.
Let's face it people, we live dead in the center of the media capital of world. Advertising is part of our lives and it funds many of the very things that make up our lives. As much as people disparage it, we should stop for a minute and think about the fact that we actually do benefit from it. I'm sure the revenue garnered from the subway monitors will help keep the subway at the level of service and repair we currently take for granted (remember the 70's people?!?!) just as the existing advertising revenue has gone to the infrastructure thus far. Maybe the next time you track dirt and salt from the slushy street on to the subway car you should think about how the cleaning person who is going to mop that floor is getting paid for.
I'm assuming (er, hoping) the revenue would indeed go towards capital improvements. People cry out that they don't want fare hikes, and this is MTA attempting to come up with additional income streams. Personally, I wouldn't mind catching some sports highlights or NY1 news on the long ride to JFK. It's certainly better than staring at Dr. Zizmore ads for an hour or figuring out the cheapest South American country I can call with a $10 phone card.
I can watch television at home. On the subways, I need a break from all these bright screens--tv or internet.
For those who don't have television at home and need to watch it on the subways--I feel sorry for you folks.
You know, the tv idea *on the trains* isn't the best idea...but wouldn't we all benefit a little if there were televisions (or at least signboards, much like the ones on top of taxis) at the platforms? Lord knows that at night, you're waiting a good 20 minutes for a train at times. At least you'd be getting some sort of stimulation that doesn't involve sidling away from the homeless guy who keeps forgetting he asked you for change already.
I think that all subway riders should be wired before they are allowed to enter the stations. Then either the passenger or the advertiser could be charged for each time a passenger views an ad. This should generate all the cash the MTA needs.
Once the wiring is in place it could be used in all sorts of stores or other situations to generate more money.
The thing is, you couldn't hear anything because the trains are so loud when they're running. Music videos would be useless viewing unless its some bling bling girl group or some cute lilith fair singer/songwriter. The news would be difficult to follow without close captioning it. But subway information would work in pure visual form-at least for 2 or 3 days until all the tvs are stolen or spray painted over.