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Subway conductors no longer have to hype the Top of the Rock observation deck when they pull into Manhattan's 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center Station. Back in October 2006, we wrote how conductors had been instructed to append the attraction "Top of the Rock" to the actual station name. An MTA sokesman said the announcement was just a courtesy to let riders know about the attraction, but the co-owners of Rockefeller Center, Tishman-Speyer, decided to remain mum on the announcements.
According to the Daily News, the directive to hype the tourist destination was a favor that real estate developer Peter Kalikow, who was chairman of the MTA at the time, granted to the owners of Rockefeller Center. Initially, they wanted the entire station re-named just Top of the Rock, but Kalikow offered the required advertisements by conductors as a compromise.
Conductors reportedly didn't care for the plugs because they generated all sorts of questions from confused or curious tourists about what the Top of the Rock was, and they're supposed to stick to scripted announcements, although we enjoy when conductors add a personal touch. Supervisors, however, were instructed to monitor whether conductors were following through with the unprecedented PA system commercials. In 2004, the MTA quietly solicited marketing companies for ideas regarding corporate naming rights for stations in order to cover a fiscal deficit.
A vice president with the Transit Workers Union applauded the change. "We didn't think it was appropriate. We pass a lot of landmarks and popular places, and we don't advertise them or call them out. We don't announce 'Joe's Pizzeria,' this place or that place."
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"This is Chase Bank Station, transfer available to the 6, next stop 28th st/Starbucks Station stand clear"
I can't remember if it's the F or the D, but one of the guys has a great spiel for 34th St. He does a "34th St, Penn Station, change for the, etc..." script and then adds, "Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, home of the Rangers, Knicks and Liberty." I appreciate that, too.
A little over a year from now there'll be "CitiField" announcements on the 7.
@TimSPC: That guy is usually on the F, he's great. I also love one of the N conductors who does a great bit, '34th Street Herald Square, former of the New York Herald newspaper...etc.'
He's almost as good as Mr. Sonny Payne, or the 'We live in the Hood, not Hollywood...' guy.
there's a q train guy who at atlantic pacific gives the whole transfer schpiel and he always ends it with "and the LOOOOOOOOOOOONG island railroad"
that guy rules.
Well, at least Top of the Rock paid the cash-strapped MTA a fair market rate for those ads... Or not.
Corporate naming rights is the end of days for this great city. I hope to god I never have to read a subway map with McDonald's and Starbucks station on it. What is this world coming to?
Corporate naming rights is the end of days for this great city. I hope to god I never have to read a subway map with McDonald's and Starbucks station on it. What is this world coming to?
Rockefeller Center has been getting free publicity ever since "47-50 St/Rockefeller Center" was built.
I used to take 47-50 St/Rockefeller Center every day and loved the outer mezzanine with its shops, banks, private security, Art-Deco design & signage and zealous cleaning crew. All of it well maintained because Rockefeller Center has a reputation to uphold.
However, once you went through the turn-styles into the subway station proper...blech. The interior mezzanine and platform was everything we've come to expect from the MTA. Grimy floors, peeling paint, falling tiles, et cetera.
Rockefeller Center should be giving it's visitors a seemless experience; from the train doors all the way to the ice-skating rink and the station's namesake and the companies in its vicinity should be investing in its upkeep or else the MTA should strike Rockefeller Center's name off of the station name and make no mention of "Top of the Rock".
It's only fair.
Rockefeller Center has been getting free publicity ever since "47-50 St/Rockefeller Center" was built.
I used to take 47-50 St/Rockefeller Center every day and loved the outer mezzanine with its shops, banks, private security, Art-Deco design & signage and zealous cleaning crew. All of it well maintained because Rockefeller Center has a reputation to uphold.
However, once you went through the turn-styles into the subway station proper...blech. The interior mezzanine and platform was everything we've come to expect from the MTA. Grimy floors, peeling paint, falling tiles, et cetera.
Rockefeller Center should be giving it's visitors a seemless experience; from the train doors all the way to the ice-skating rink and the station's namesake and the companies in its vicinity should be investing in its upkeep or else the MTA should strike Rockefeller Center's name off of the station name and make no mention of "Top of the Rock".
It's only fair.
Years ago before the 'W' was on the 'N' line in Queens, there was this awesome announcer who'd make the whole ride into a theatrical performance.
"GOOD MORNING ladies & gentleman. The next stop on this Manhattan bound N train will be Queensborough Plaza. You can transfer there for the 7--which will take you to Flushing, home of the Mets or you can continue on this train to the city where the first stop features the famed 5th Avenue.
Stand clear of the closing doors and have a great morning!"
He's almost as good as Mr. Sonny Payne,
"hello, my name is sonny payne. i'm homeless & i'm hungry. If you don't have it, i understand because i don't have it. but if you have a sandwich or a piece of fruit i would really appreciate it. thank you."
i think that's how his speech goes.
On 9/11 in 2007 a conductor sang The Star Spangled Banner on the D train. He sang beautifully and softly. It was soft enough that if one were engrossed enough in his book he might not have heard it at all, but loud enough that it made a statement. I recall that nobody else I came in contact with that day said much at all about 9/11 except for the conductor, who after singing said "God Bless New York."