Maybe Seatless Subways Aren't Such a Crazy Idea

Reader Raphael sent us this photograph of a subway rider getting pretty comfy on the subway. Now, it's nice to stretch your toes and all, but...shudder.

One of the MTA's state violations is placing "one's foot on the seat of a subway, bus, or platform bench" (it could mean a $50 fine). Besides you have no idea what's been on that seat before--it could be something like this. Which is why many people like to avoid skin- on- subway- surface contact--we saw someone holding onto a subway pole with a plastic bag yesterday.

The seatless subways pilot will begin in the coming months. Also: Dirty seats are one of the "ten plagues" of subway riders.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 5, 2008 5:32 PM

Comments [rss]

moneda

people wear socks and shoes for a reason.
Because they feel like it, for the same reason I may not do so.

memoson

The subway seats appear dirtier lately. Has the MTA cut back on car cleaning?

aprilnyc

Since most folks realize how filthy public transportation is, what shocks me is people eating or picking at them selves after touching the surfaces of the train or bus.

I have seen people biting their nails mindlessly and it is nauseating. Same with eating, no, you didn't lick your fingers.

Just like By supernova, wash your hands as soon as you get to work!

Gothamist_Cynic

OMG srsly ppl need to jus let othr ppl wear wtf they want & stfu about it.

sorry but I don't want to see your gross feet collecting and spreading the city's filth. people wear socks and shoes for a reason.

aspiringrapper

Looks like a D train. Got on one of those at Fordham Road yesterday. Going down the stairs, the entire station stank of urine & filth. I startled a rat. A Jehovahs Witness tried to pawn off their pamphlet on me. A sketchy looking man wanted me to swipe my card for him. Down on the platform, I saw another rat, with 2 more on the tracks. People spitting. Clipping toenails. Talking to themselves. Sitting on the stairs, blocking everyone's path. Barely 6 a.m. and the train is already standing room only. A beggar gets on at Tremont Ave. A preacher at 145th St. People have been piling in because the stench of a homeless man has overpowered the next car over.

Typical day in this lousy city. Thanks New York.

Shinobi Shaw

NYC is surely not a 'sandals-kind of city,' leave that for SoCal.

Guest

"A homeless person take a shit right in the middle of the car."

epic

moneda

seriously, people need to stop wearing sandals in the city. keep them at home or the beach.
OMG srsly ppl need to jus let othr ppl wear wtf they want & stfu about it.

SeasTooFarToReach

whoa @ Wza!

Luckily, I've never had to witness anything so far out there as what you have experienced!

Also, I agree with the person who mentioned hand sanitizer. As soon as I get into work, my first action is go wash my hands... gives me some peace of mind.

Future Taliban

Actually in some religions they pray like that.

Gothamist_Cynic

seriously, people need to stop wearing sandals in the city. keep them at home or the beach.

whothe

so the commute from Bay Ridge for old ladies should be interesting. Way to go Bloomberg!

Wza

I've seen this before on the train.

I've also seen:

-Someone clipping their toenails.

-Person picking their nose and flicking it anywhere in the car.

-A homeless person take a shit right in the middle of the car.

-A fight with blood getting on the door and seats.

-People having sex in the corner. The guy and girl gave me a thumbs up because they knew I knew what was going on(it was also around 4am).

Ah yes...gotta love the subway!

leepresson

HOBOS? Real live hobos, here, in New York City? Really!

moneda

Just great! This fat piece of crap is taking up three seats (actually four because who would want to sit next to his stinking feet?) and he thinks he's entitled to do same. Charge him for three or four fares and let it go at that. Also throw the asshole off the train at the next stop. Preferably at the front of the train and on the tracks.
I'd love to know how you even begin to assume how many people are in that car and are being robbed of a seat by this man. Geez, most of you people must be on coke withdrawals or something when you type comments.

Snoopy

Just great! This fat piece of crap is taking up three seats (actually four because who would want to sit next to his stinking feet?) and he thinks he's entitled to do same. Charge him for three or four fares and let it go at that. Also throw the asshole off the train at the next stop. Preferably at the front of the train and on the tracks.