April 9, 2008
Coffee...Tea...Or the E?
Photographs by Alex Nathanson on Indymedia
Over the weekend, on a select group of subway lines, a group of subway stewardesses tried to introduce straphangers a more civilized commute. Four performers from Boring Inc. became "MTA Service Specialists" wheeled trolleys of snacks, tissues and more into stations and onto trains.
According to their website, the MTA Service Specialists believe "If you need something, you say something." And Kae Burke, who organized the project, told Indymedia, "Commuters deserve helpful, courteous service with a smile while riding the erroneous MTA."
Indeed: One passenger, 44-year-old Steven Faria, told the Post, "With these girls, I'd be on the train all day. You'd have 1000 percent ridership." Or support for more mass transit funding? Send these ladies to Albany, stat!
Speaking of the MTA, there will be another MTA webinar today at noon, to discuss the proposed Capital Program. We bet MTA executive director Lee Sander will address questions about the fate of the program now that congestion pricing revenue won't be around. And we hope it turns out better than the December webinar.
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those girls went to my art school
I like how everyone on the train is smiling in the first photo.
Do they need to be practically showing their nether regions to make this point? How sad..
A little late for April Fool, isn't it? And if they were real New Yorkers, they would have tried this stunt during rush hour. That would have been fun to watch.
I agree with candid...
It's certainly a pity that they feel that representing obliging young women requires dressing that way. A little less tit and ass and they still would have been a pleasure for everyone, not just the men.
It's pretty sexist of them, though I don't think they realize it. I've never had to walk around like that to charm a man. All it takes is a good spirit and a nice smile -- a rule of thumb that applies to both sexes.
Also, when you travel in Spain, they do have "stewardesses" on their Ave trains... it looked ridiculous really.
like the good man said, i'd ride all day.
I figured people would find a way to hate on this.
So many people seeking their 15 minutes.
You'll ride all day just because these stewardesses are on? Why, they ain't giving out free T&A. What makes these ladies so special that I'll need to ride all day to see them. I have a life! And I agree with the "nether region" point, these stewardesses didn't think that maybe young children would be riding the train. With them dress like that I believe they are setting a bad example for young girls who was riding the train. Let me see, short skirts, tight outfits, it doesn't take a genius to see what group they wanted to attract.
wait..people are complaining because young, fit girls decided to wear skimpy, tight outfits?? have i fallen into some bizarro world where awesome things are considered bad?
cry for attention, sexist, or not, that broad is a sight for sore eyes.
A lot of jealous women here.
whats wrong with hot chicks? who doesn't likem?
How can you say anything bad about these women? they bring joy and happiness to the world. There is a reason why there are so many single NY women. They are ugly. we need more hotties.
It would take more than a few cute stewardesses to make up for 11 weekends out 14 weekends in 2008 with partial subway service.
">[Roosevelt Island 360] It's The Weekend So Which Direction Did We Lose Service This Week
whats wrong with hot chicks? who doesn't likem?
Non-hot chicks.
these girls worked in my dungeon. xoxo
Hehe this is funny. The girl in the first pic is adorable. Great smile!
Nice idea. They should wear more clothes though. The subway isn't a place to get your sexual groove on.
These chicks are actually dressed more conservatively than many of the women I see on the train all summer long.
Which is why summer is the best time to ride the train.
these girls aren't even showing cleavage! what fucking century is this??
Unfortunately these lovely ladies neglected to sell Lubriderm along with the box of tissues shown. Then I could've REALLY enjoyed their company.
holy crap she's hot!
It's a nice little though.
And for the people complaining about the clothes (it is a tad short), http://www.adsw.org/event/2000/Fashion/Petty-m.jpg
Maybe they should have gone with that look.
did any passengers partake in the offerings?
So invoking the kitsch charm of 60's sexiness while trying to make light of a bad MTA situation is a bad thing? All I see are smiles and gams, not T&A.
Is there a new world for you Puritans to sail to?
Relax.
No reason good looking girls shouldn't look good. Personally I can't wait until National Boner Day, when all the girls start wearing skirts and looking good again (my money's actually on tomorrow).
I'll take comic relief on the nerve-wracking subway in any form it comes.
And, if they're hotter than me?
Ah, well...
LOOK AT ME I NEED ATTENTION!
what a bunch of slutmuffins!!
There was a time long long ago when airline stewardesses were young and attractive also. I believe the same are still working today and are close to the mandatory retirement age of 65.
Where is Queen Victoria on this subject?
The green line has, by far, hotter chicks on it.
I rate the green line A++.
Blue line gets a F.. for (F)ugly girls.
green line? blue line? go back to boston you fruit.
i think they are cute!! hmm maybe they should come to my subway line.
Oh, the irony...
On the subway, I just want to be left alone. No distractions, no entertainment, no food sales. Just be able to sit or stand and get where I'm going.
Having stewards or assistants to help people in need - perhaps older people having trouble with stares, or people confused about where to do - could be a nice thing. But this idea, if it's serious, is terrible.
this is awesome. how did i miss this?? these girls rock!
anyone complaining about this seriously has problems.
Oh, please, like they aren't wearing any less than half the other riders on a summer weekend would.
We need to do something about our subways, and if this helps people think about it, more power. I love New York, and I love that we have the largest percentage of public transport users in the US, but our subways are too infrequent, break down too often, and--along with the stations--are too dirty. And frankly, our subway workers are too rude. Why can't our subway be at least as nice as DC's?
Just one question: Do they man-sit? Because I want to be there when that happens.
I have to second jt10000 which actually said it first out of all these comments, "On the subway, I just want to be left alone. No distractions, no entertainment, no food sales. "
Some eye candy is cool. It also reminds me of the trains (but not subways) in china where they have stewards and stewardesses hawking all sorts of stuff up and down the train. But in reality, I don't want to hear another mariachi band or break dance crew. Neither do I want some people distracting my to and fro when I'm trying to have my morning, midday or afternoon meditation, per se.
To have such people officially on the train would actually cost more money and more red tape. Consider why there are far less booth people then before and more machines.
I understand that this was a statement or performance piece; if you want to call it that. But I'm not that impressed. I'll give them credit where it's due though and call them on just being out in front of the masses like that.
Maybe Jen should have elaborated on what they actually sold. That would have interested me depending on what that was.
the pix on the indy media site makes them all looked very posed & fake , lets see some video of them in action.
Thank you all for your interest in the MTA Service Specialists. We have enjoyed reading your feedback and would like to take a moment to answer your questions and address your concerns.
First and foremost, we are not selling anything on the subway. It remains a violation to engage in unauthorized commercial activity and panhandle on all MTA vessels, and the items which we happily distribute are at no cost to riders on board. For those of you who are curious, in addition to answering questions and providing general service improvements MTA Service Specialists offer hand sanitizer, light refreshments, tissues and other small items of convenience, all on a complimentary basis.
The presence of the MTA Service Specialists on board subways is not intended to be a disruption. In fact, if you see us in action you will find that we are skilled at minimizing disruptions while riding the subway.
The MTA Service Specialist uniform is designed for mobility and style when traveling the tracks and are fashioned after many of the vintage airline stewardess garments found throughout the world.
Courtesy is contagious -- let it start with you!
And remember...
"If You Need Something, Say Something!"
Feel free to contact us at mtaservicespecialists@gmail dot com